GOMNWORDS  FROM  THE 
BOOK  OF  WISDOM 


f.a:wightman 


3RARY  OF  RELIGIOUS  THOUGHT 


I 


BS  1465.2  .W53  1918 
Wightman,  F.A. 
Golden  words  from  the  Book 
of  Wisdom 


O  K*  I 


\Jii 


GOLDEN   WORDS   FROM   THE 
BOOK   OF   WISDOM 


Golden  Words  from  the 
Book  of  Wisdom 


A  New  Arrangement  of  the 
Book  of  Proverbs 

BY 

F.  A.  Wig  HTM  AN 


^■■ 


L^i 


'UN  10  191 


BOSTON : 
THE  GORHAM  PRESS 

MCMXVIII 


Copyright  1918  by  F.  A.  WicHXMANf 


All  Rights  Reserved 


Made  in  the  United  States  of  America 


The  Gorham  Press,  Boston,  U.  S.  A. 


TO  MY  CHILDREN  AND  ALL  PARENTS  AND  TEACHERS 

TOGETHER  WITH   ALL   WHO    SEEK  TO    LAY  THE 

FOUNDATIONS  OF  WORTHY  CHARACTER  IN 

THE  RISING  GENERATION,  THIS  LITTLE 

VOLUME  IS  LOVINGLY  DEDICATED. 


PREFACE 

The  Book  of  Proverbs  is,  perhaps,  the  least 
read  of  any  of  the  books  of  the  Bible.  This  is 
not  because  of  its  lack  of  worth  or  because  it 
lacks  in  human  interest,  but,  as  we  believe,  be- 
cause of  its  lack  of  consecutive  treatment  of  sub- 
jects. The  disconnected  character  of  the  book 
in  its  present  form  is,  of  course,  very  natural 
when  we  consider  its  title  and  origin.  It  is  ex- 
actly what  its  title  indicates,  namely,  a  collection 
of  Hebrew  proverbs.  They  refer  to  a  multitude 
of  subjects  but  do  not  pretend  to  deal  exhaustive- 
ly or  connectedly  with  any  or  scarcely  any.  There 
are,  it  is  true,  a  few  people  who  regard  the  Book 
of  Proverbs  as  having  a  definite  and  studied 
arrangement  of  subject  matter.  But  to  the  great 
majority  of  Bible  students  and  readers,  this  view 
will  not  find  acceptance  either  in  reason  or  in  the 
evidence  furnished  in  the  book  itself. 

The  more  likely  and  very  evident  method  fol- 
lowed in  the  compilation  of  the  book  is  that  these 
incomparable  proverbs  were  recorded,  for  the 
most  part,  as  they  were  called  to  mind,  or  as  they 
came  into  use,  with  little  regard  to  subjects. 
Solomon,  no  doubt,  is  the  author  of  a  considerable 
number  of  these  sayings,  but  doubtless  many  had 
other  sources  of  origin,  and  found  their  way  into 
current  speech  before  his  day.  It  would  seem, 
however,  that  he  recognized  their  value  and  had 

5 


6  Preface 

them  recorded  or  "written  down  in  order"  as 
they  could  be  collected,  a  few  today  and  a  few 
tomorrow  as  they  came  to  his  notice.  This  col- 
lection made  by  the  official  scribe  under  the 
auspices  of  the  King,  gave  the  whole  collection  an 
official  status  and  a  recognition  of  sacred  authority 
by  ecclesiastical  sanction  of  the  day.  Once  hav- 
ing passed  into  the  recognized  canon  of  Hebrew 
scriptures,  no  re-editing  of  its  contents  would, 
of  course,  be  permitted  so  far  as  the  scriptures 
are  concerned,  and  so  they  have  ever  remained 
in  the  original  form. 

In  this  somewhat  haphazard  order  of  arrange- 
ment, these  gems  of  Hebrew  wisdom  will,  of 
course,  always  continue,  nor  would  we  wish  it 
otherwise.  They  have  been  spoken  of  as  a 
string  of  costly  gems  of  various  sizes,  shapes  and 
colors  made  at  random.  In  this  form,  they  have 
a  certain  beauty  and  a  sacred  relationship  which 
the  world  always  will  preserve.  It  is  of  interest, 
however,  and,  we  think,  of  advantage  sometimes 
to  re-string  these  glittering  gems  according  to  a 
more  systematic  classification.  This  is  merely 
what  I  have  endeavored  to  do.  A  considerable 
portion  of  the  book  of  Ecclesiastes  consists  of 
later  proverbs  woven  into  the  story.  Some  of 
them  I  have  included  in  this  classification.  No 
doubt  the  work  of  classification  could  have  been 
better  done  by  others,  but  I  think  my  efforts  in 
this  direction  may  tend  to  a  better  knowledge  of, 
and  a  wider  popularity  for,  this  most  practical 
portion  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures. 


Preface  7 

Every  people  who  have  achieved  any  degree 
of  civihzation  have  a  book  of  Proverbs,  either 
written  or  oral.  The  value  of  these  reflect,  very 
largely,  the  degree  and  character  of  the  civiliza- 
tion any  people  represent.  Judged  by  this  stand- 
ard, ancient  Israel  was  worthy  of  a  high  place. 
\\  hile  the  proverbs  of  all  nations  and  all  times 
are  worthy  of  study,  those  of  Israel's  Philosopher- 
King  never  have  been  surpassed  or  equalled  either 
in  the  variety  of  subjects  referred  to,  or  in  the 
purity  and  exalted  character  of  the  ideals  set 
iorth.  This  is  doubtless  due  to  the  spirit  of 
Divine  inspiration  which  gave  them  birth  and 
led  to  their  exalted  place  in  their  literature  and 
their  miraculous  preservation  to  the  present  day. 

If  these  grand  truths,  so  strikingly  expressed, 
could  be  burned  into  the  minds  and  hearts  of 
each  rising  generation,  they  could  not  help  but 
supply  a  saner  and  more  worthy  outlook  upon 
life.  All  the  great  essential  truths  of  the  moral 
life  are  here  splendidly  emphasized.  No  educa- 
tion is  completed  and  no  man  or  woman  is  fully 
fitted  to  fight  the  moral  or  material  battles  of  life 
till  these  principles  of  life  be  at  the  foundation  of 
their  characters  and  their  careers.  In  this  new 
arrangement,  my  prayer  is  that  they  may  be 
more  highly  appreciated  and  more  widely  read. 
If  we  need  devotion  for  worship  or  history  of 
ancient   times,   or   revelation   of   God's   message 


8  Preface 

and  will  to  men,  we  turn  to  other  sections  of  God's 
Word.  But  for  a  school  of  morals  and  the  prin- 
ciples of  material  success,  we  must  turn  to  these 
Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom. 

F.  A.    WiGHTMAN. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

11. 

111. 

IV. 

V. 
VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 
IX. 
X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 

XVII. 


PAGE 

The  Scribe's  Preface 13 

Good  Advice  for  Boys 15 

Good  Advice  for  Girls 18 

The  "  A.  B.  C. "  of  Wisdom ....  20 

Father,  Mother  and  Home 22 

Home   Maxims    for    the   Home 

Circle 25 

Sparing  the  Rod  or  Family  Dis- 
cipline   27 

Concerning  Servants 29 

\\  ho  Are  Your  Companions  .^  . .  31 
Gold  and  Dross  in  Human  Char- 
acter   3^ 

Danger  Signals  for  Dangerous 

Paths 36 

Beware! ^8 

Some  Striking  Contrasts 41 

The  Principal  Thing 45 

Knowledge  is  Power 48 

Make  Hay  While  the  Sun  Shines  5 1 
A  Short  Course  in  Business  Prin- 
ciples   .-f 

9 


lO 


Contents 


XV'III.  Riches  and  Poverty 60 

XIX.  Don't  Be  a  Hog 63 

XX.  Don't  Be  a  Fool 65 

XXI.  Don't  Be  a  Drunkard 68 

XXII.  Don't  Be  a  Liar 70 

XXIII.  Don't 71 

XXIV.  Let  Us  Go  to  Church 74 

XXV.  The  Words  of  My  Mouth 77 

XXVI.  TheMeditationsof  My  Heart..  80 

XXVII.  Who  is  My  Neighbor.? 82 

XXVIII.  Slow  to  Speak  and  Slow  to  Wrath  85 

XXIX.  Mind  Your  Own  Business 86 

XXX.  Kings  and  Those  in  Authority..  88 

XXXI.  Are  You  a  Politic  an.? 93 

XXXII.  Lights  and  Shadows 97 

XXXIII.  Vengeance  is  Mine 100 

XXXIV.  Light  in  the  Darkness 102 

XXXV.  Sunset  and  Evening  Star 103 


GOLDEN    WORDS    FROM    THE 
BOOK   OF    WISDOM 


Golden  Words  from  the 
Book  of  Wisdom 

CHAPTER   I 

THE    scribe's    preface 

The  proverbs  of  Solomon  the  son  of  David,  king 
of  Israel 

^  I  "O  know  wisdom  and  instruction;  to  perceive 
■■■  the  words  of  understanding;  to  receive  the 
instruction  of  wisdom,  justice,  and  judg- 
ment, and  equity;  to  give  subtilty  to  the  simple, 
to  the  young  man  knowledge  and  discretion,  are 
they  written.  A  wise  man  will  hear,  and  will 
increase  learning;  and  a  man  of  understanding 
shall  attain  unto  wise  counsels.  To  understand 
a  proverb,  and  the  interpretation,  the  words  of 
the  wise,  and  their  dark  sayings  is  wisdom. 

And  moreover,  because  the  preacher  was  wise, 
he  still  taught  the  people  knowledge;  yea,  he  gave 
good  heed,  and  sought  out,  and  set  in  order  many 
proverbs.  The  preacher  sought  to  find  out  ac- 
ceptable words:  and  that  which  was  written  was 
upright,  even  words  of  truth.  The  words  of  the 
wise  are  as  goads,  and  as  nails  fastened  by  the 
masters  of  assemblies,  which  are  given  from  one 
shepherd.  And  further,  by  these,  my  son,  be 
admonished:  of  making  many  books  there  is  no 
end;  and  much  study  is  a  weariness  of  the  flesh. 
A  word  fitly  spoken  is  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures 
of  silver. 

13 


14       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

The  words  of  Agur  the  son  of  Jakeh,  even  the 
prophecy;  the  man  spake  unto  Ithiel,  even  unto 
Ithiel  and  Ucal,  "Surely  I  am  more  brutish  than 
any  man,  and  have  not  the  understanding  of  a 
man.  I  neither  learned  wisdom,  nor  have  the 
knowledge  of  the  holy.  Who  hath  ascended  up 
into  heaven,  or  descended.^  who  hath  gathered 
the  wind  in  his  fists  .^  who  hath  bound  the  waters 
in  a  garment?  who  hath  established  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth.**  what  is  his  name,  and  what  is  his 
son's  name,  if  thou  canst  tell?"  But  every  word 
of  God  is  pure;  He  is  a  shield  unto  them  that 
put  their  trust  in  Him.  Add  thou  not  unto  His 
words,  lest  He  reprove  thee,  and  thou  be  found 
a  liar. 

These  are  proverbs  of  Solomon,  which  the  men 
of  Hezekiah  king  of  Judah  copied  out. 


CHAPTER   II 

GOOD    ADVICE    FOR    BOYS 

"JV/TY  son,  if  thine  heart  be  wise,  my  heart  shall 
"^  rejoice,  even  mine.  Yea,  my  reins  shall 
rejoice,  when  thy  lips  speak  right  things. 
Let  not  thine  heart  envy  sinners;  but  be  thou  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long.  For  surely 
there  is  an  end;  and  thine  expectations  shall  not 
be  cut  off.  Hear  thou,  my  son,  and  be  wise,  and 
guide  thine  heart  in  the  way.  Be  not  among 
winebibbers;  among  riotous  eaters  of  flesh;  for 
the  drunkard  and  the  glutton  shall  come  to  pover- 
ty and  drowsiness  shall  clothe  a  man  with  rags. 
Hearken  unto  thy  father  that  begat  thee,  and 
despise  not  thy  mother  when  she  is  old. 

My  son,  let  not  the  ornaments  of  truth  depart 
from  thine  eyes,  keep  sound  wisdom  and  discre- 
tion. So  shall  thy  life  be  unto  thy  soul,  and 
grace  to  thy  neck.  Then  shalt  thou  walk  in  the 
way  safely,  and  thy  foot  shalt  not  stumble. 
When  thou  liest  down,  thou  shalt  not  be  afraid; 
yea,  thou  shalt  lie  down,  and  thy  sleep  shall  be 
sweet.  Be  not  afraid  of  sudden  fear,  neither  of 
the  desolation  of  the  wicked,  when  it  cometh. 
For  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  confidence,  and  shall 
keep  thy  foot  from  being  taken. 

My  son,  fear  thou  the  Lord  and  the  king;  and 
meddle  not  with  them  that  are  given  to  change, 

15 


1 6       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

for  their  calamity  shall  rise  suddenly;  and  who 
knoweth  the  ruin  of  them  both?  Remove  not  the 
ancient  landmark,  which  thy  fathers  have  set. 

It  is  better  to  hear  the  rebuke  of  the  wise,  than 
for  a  man  to  hear  the  song  of  fools.  For  as  the 
crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot,  so  is  the  laughter 
of  the  fool:  this  also  is  vanity.  Whose  loveth 
wisdom  rejoiceth  his  father:  but  he  that  keepeth 
company  with  harlots  spendeth  his  substance. 
The  way  of  man  is  froward  and  strange;  but  as 
for  the  pure  his  work  is  right.  My  son,  hear  the 
instruction  of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not  the  law 
of  thy  mother;  for  they  shall  be  an  ornament  of 
grace  unto  thy  head,  and  chains  about  thy  neck. 

Keep  thy  heart  with  all  dihgence;  for  out  of  it 
are  the  issues  of  life.  Put  away  from  thee  a  fro- 
ward mouth,  and  perverse  lips  put  far  from  thee. 
Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on,  and  let  thine  eye- 
lids look  straight  before  thee.  Ponder  the  path 
of  thy  feet,  and  let  all  thy  ways  be  established. 
Turn  not  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left;  remove 
thy  foot  from  evil. 

Rejoice,  O  young  man,  in  thy  youth;  and  let 
thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and 
walk  in  the  ways  of  thine  heart,  and  in  the  sight 
of  thine  eyes;  but  know  thou,  that  for  all  these 
things  God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment.  There- 
fore remove  sorrow  from  thy  heart,  and  put  away 
evil  from  thy  flesh:  for  childhood  and  youth  are 
fleeting. 


Good  Advice  for  Bop  1 7 

Aly  son,  forget  not  my  law;  but  let  my  heart 
keep  my  commandments;  for  length  of  days,  and 
long  life,  and  peace,  shall  they  add  to  thee.  Let 
not  mercy  and  truth  forsake  thee;  bind  them 
about  thy  neck;  write  them  upon  the  table  of 
thine  heart;  so  shalt  thou  find  favour  and  good 
understanding  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 


CHAPTER  III 

GOOD    ADVICE    FOR   GIRLS 

t^VERY  wise  woman  buildeth  her  house;  but 
^-^  the  foolish  plucketh  it  down  with  her  hands. 
As  a  jewel  of  gold  in  a  swine's  snout,  so  is  a 
fair  woman  which  is  without  discretion.  A  con- 
tinual dropping  in  a  very  rainy  day  and  a  conten- 
tious woman  are  alike.  Whosoever  hideth  her 
hideth  the  wind,  and  the  ointment  of  his  right  hand, 
which  betrayeth  itself.  It  is  better  to  dwell  in  a 
corner  of  the  housetop,  than  with  a  brawling 
woman  in  a  wide  house,  but  a  gracious  woman 
retaineth  honour,  as  strong  men  retain  riches. 

Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go 
not  in  the  way  of  evil  men.  Avoid  it,  pass  not  by 
it,  turn  from  it,  and  pass  away.  For  they  sleep  not 
except  they  have  done  mischief;  and  their  sleep, 
is  taken  away,  unless  they  cause  some  to  fall. 
For  they  eat  the  bread  of  wickedness,  and  drink 
the  wine  of  violence.  But  the  path  of  the  just 
is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth  more  and  more 
unto  the  perfect  day.  The  way  of  the  wicked  is 
as  darkness;  they  know  not  at  what  they  stumble. 
Go  from  the  presence  of  a  foolish  man,  when  thou 
perceivest  not  in  him  the  lips  of  knowledge. 

A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great 
riches,  and  loving  favour  rather  than  silver  and 


Good  Advice  for  Girls  19 

gold.  Hear  counsel,  and  receive  instruction,  that 
thou  mayest  be  wise  in  thy  latter  end.  The  fear 
of  the  Lord  is  the  instruction  of  wisdom ;  and  before 
honour  is  humility.  By  humility  and  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  are  riches,  and  honour,  and  life. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE    A.    B.    C.    OF    WISDOM 

\X7'ISD0M  hath  builded  her  house,  she  hath 
^  ~  hewn  out  her  seven  pillars;  she  hath  killed 
her  beasts;  she  hath  mingled  her  wine;  she 
hath  also  furnished  her  table.  She  hath  sent 
forth  her  maidens;  she  crieth  upon  the  highest 
places  of  the  city: — "Whoso  is  simple,  let  him 
turn  in  hither. "  As  for  him  that  wanteth  under- 
standing, she  saith  to  him:  "Come,  eat  of  my 
bread,  and  drink  of  the  wine  which  I  have  mingled. 
Forsake  the  foolish,  and  live;  and  go  in  the  way  of 
understanding." 

He  that  reproveth  a  scorner  getteth  to  himself 
shame;  and  he  that  rebuketh  a  wicked  man 
getteth  himself  a  blot.  Reprove  not  a  scorner 
lest  he  hate  thee;  rebuke  a  wise  man  and  he  will 
love  thee.  Give  instruction  to  a  wise  man,  and 
he  will  be  yet  wiser;  teach  a  just  man,  and  he  will 
increase  in  learning. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom; 
and  the  knowledge  of  the  holy  is  understanding. 
For  by  me  thy  days  shall  be  multiplied,  and  the 
years  of  thy  life  shall  be  increased.  If  thou  be 
wise,  thou  shalt  be  wise  for  thyself;  but  if  thou 
scornest,  thou  alone  shall  bear  it.     The  fear  of  the 

20 


The  A  B  C  of  Wisdom  21 


Lord  is  the  beginning  of  knowledge,   but   fools 
despise  wisdom  and  instruction. 

My  son,  if  thou  wilt  receive  my  words,  and 
hide  my  commandments  with  thee,  so  that  thou 
incline  thine  ear  unto  wisdom,  and  apply  thine 
heart  to  understanding;  yea,  if  thou  criest  after 
knowledge,  and  liftest  up  thy  voice  for  under- 
standing; if  thou  seekest  her  as  silver,  and  search- 
est  for  her  as  hid  treasures;  then  shalt  thou  under- 
stand the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  find  the  knowledge 
of  God.  For  the  Lord  giveth  wisdom;  out  of  his 
mouth  Cometh  knowledge  and  understanding. 
He  layeth  up  sound  wisdom  for  the  righteous;  he 
is  a  buckler  to  them  that  walk  uprightly.  He 
keepeth  the  paths  of  judgment  and  preserveth 
the  way  of  his  saints.  Then  shalt  thou  under- 
stand righteousness,  and  judgment,  and  equity, 
yea,  every  good  path. 

Bow  down  thine  ear,  and  hear  the  words  of  the 
wise,  and  apply  thine  heart  unto  my  knowledge. 
For  it  is  a  pleasant  thing  if  thou  keep  them  within 
thee;  they  shall  withal  be  fitted  in  thy  lips.  That 
thy  trust  may  be  in  the  Lord,  I  have  made  known 
to  thee  this  day,  even  to  thee.  Have  I  not  written 
to  thee  excellent  things  in  counsels  and  knowledge, 
that  I  might  make  thee  know  the  certainty  of  the 
words  of  truth;  that  thou  mightest  answer  the 
words  of  truth  to  them  that  send  unto  thee.  The 
fear  of  the  Lord  tendeth  to  life;  and  he  that  hath 
it  shall  abide  satisfied;  he  shall  not  be  visited 
with  evil. 


CHAPTER  V 

FATHER,    MOTHER,    AND    HOME 

"^XZHOSO  findeth  a  wife  findeth  a  good  thing 
'  *  and  obtaineth  favour  of  the  Lord.  Go  thy 
way,  eat  thy  bread  with  joy,  and  drink  thy 
wine  with  a  merry  heart,  for  God  now  accepteth 
thy  works.  Let  thy  garments  be  always  white; 
and  let  thy  head  lack  no  ointment.  Live  joyfully 
with  the  wife  whom  thou  lovest  all  the  days  of 
thy  fleeting  life  which  he  hath  given  thee  under 
the  sun,  all  the  days  of  thy  fleeting  life,  for  that 
is  thy  portion  in  life,  and  in  thy  labour  which 
thou'takest  under  the  sun. 

Drink  waters  out  of  thine  own  cistern,  and 
running  waters  out  of  thine  own  well.  Let  thy 
fountains  be  dispersed  abroad,  and  rivers  of 
waters  in  the  streets.  Let  them  be  only  thine 
own,  and  not  strangers'  with  thee.  Let  thy 
fountain  be  blessed;  and  rejoice  with  the  wife  of 
thy  youth.  Let  her  be  as  the  lo-ving  hind  and 
pleasant  roe;  let  her  breasts  satisfy  thee  at  all 
times;  and  be  thou  ravished  always  with  her  love. 
And  why  wilt  thou,  my  son,  be  ravished  with  a 
strange  woman,  and  embrace  the  bosom  of  a 
stranger.''  For  the  ways  of  man  are  before  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  he  pondereth  all  his  goings. 
As  a  bird  that  wandereth  from  her  nest,  so  is  a 
man   that  wandereth   from   his  place.     He  that 

22 


Father,  Mother  and  Home 


troubleth  his  own   house  shall  inherit  the  wind; 
and  the  fool  shall  be  servant  to  the  wise  of  heart. 

The  curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the 
wicked;  but  he  blesseth  the  habitation  of  the  just. 
Better  is  little  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord  than  great 
treasure  and  trouble  therewith.  Better  is  a 
dinner  of  herbs  where  love  is,  than  a  stalled  ox  and 
hatred  therewith.  The  spirit  of  a  man  will  sus- 
tain his  infirmity;  but  a  wounded  spirit  who  can 
bear?  Better  is  a  dry  morsel,  and  quietness 
therewith,  than  an  house  full  of  sacrifice  with 
strife.  It  is  better  to  dwell  in  the  corner  of  the 
housetop  than  with  a  brawling  woman  and  in  a 
wide  house.  It  is  better  to  dwell  in  the  wilder- 
ness, than  with  a  contentious  and  an  angry  woman. 
•A  foolish  son  is  the  calamity  of  his  father;  and 
the  contentions  of  a  wife  are  a  continual  dropping. 
House  and  riches  are  the  inheritance  of  fathers; 
and  a  prudent  wife  is  from  the  Lord. 

Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman. ^  for  her  price 
is  far  above  rubies.  The  heart  of  her  husband 
doth  safely  trust  in  her,  so  that  he  shall  have  no 
need  of  spoil.  She  will  do  him  good  and  not 
evil  all  the  days  of  her  life.  She  seeketh  wool,  and 
flax,  and  worketh  willingly  with  her  hands.  She 
is  like  the  merchants'  ships;  she  bringeth  her  food 
from  afar.  She  riseth  also  while  it  is  yet  night, 
and  giveth  meat  to  her  household,  and  a  portion 
to  her  maidens.  She  considereth  a  field,  and 
buyeth  it;  with  the  fruit  of  her  hands  she  planteth 


24       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

a  vineyard.  She  girdeth  her  loins  with  strength, 
and  strengtheneth  her  arms. 

She  perceiveth  that  her  merchandise  is  good; 
her  candle  goeth  not  out  by  night.  She  layeth 
her  hands  to  the  spindle,  and  her  hands  hold  the 
distaff.  She  stretcheth  out  her  hand  to  the  poor; 
yea,  she  stretcheth  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy. 
She  is  not  afraid  of  the  snow  for  her  household: 
for  all  her  household  are  clothed  with  scarlet. 
She  maketh  herself  coverings  of  tapestry;  her 
clothing  is  silk  and  purple.  Her  husband  is 
known  in  the  gates,  when  he  sitteth  among  the 
elders  of  the  land.  She  maketh  fine  linen,  and 
selleth  it;  delivereth  girdles  unto  the  merchant. 
Strength  and  honour  are  her  clothing;  and  she 
shall  rejoice  in  time  to  come. 

She  openeth  her  mouth  with  wisdom;  and  in 
her  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness.  She  looketh 
well  to  the  ways  of  her  household,  and  eateth  not 
the  bread  of  idleness.  Her  children  rise  up,  and 
call  her  blessed;  her  husband  also,  and  he  praiseth 
her.  Many  daughters  have  done  virtuously,  but 
thou  excellest  them  all.  Favour  is  deceitful,  and 
beauty  is  vain:  but  a  woman  that  feareth  the 
Lord,  she  shall  be  praised.  Give  her  of  the  fruit 
of  her  hands;  and  let  her  own  works  praise  her 
in  the  gates. 

A  virtuous  woman  is  a  crown  to  her  husband; 
but  she  that  maketh  ashamed  is  as  rottenness  in 
his  bones.  The  Lord  will  destroy  the  house  of  the 
proud;  but  he  will  establish  the  border  of  the 
widow. 


CHAPTER  VI 

HOME    MAXIMS    FOR   THE    HOME    CIRCLE 

^  I  *HE  proverbs  of  Solomon:  A  wise  son  maketh 
"■•     a  glad  father;  but  a  foolish  son  is  the  heavi- 
ness of  his  mother. 

Hear,  ye  children,  the  instruction  of  a  father, 
and  attend  to  know  understanding.  For  I  give 
you  good  doctrine,  forsake  ye  not  my  law.  For 
I  was  my  father's  son,  tender  and  only  beloved 
in  the  sight  of  my  mother.  He  taught  me  also 
and  said  unto  me,  Let  thine  heart  retain  my 
words;  keep  my  commandments,  and  live. 

Children's  children  are  the  crown  of  old  men; 
and  the  glory  of  children  are  their  fathers.  The 
father  of  the  righteous  shall  greatly  rejoice;  and 
he  that  begetteth  a  wise  child  shall  have  joy  of 
him.  Thy  father  and  thy  mother  shall  be  glad, 
and  she  that  bear  thee  shall  rejoice.  In  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  is  strong  confidence;  and  his  children 
shall  have  a  place  of  refuge. 

Whoso  curseth  his  father  or  his  mother,  his 
lamp  shall  be  put  out  in  obscure  darkness.  A 
foolish  son  is  a  grief  to  his  father,  and  bitterness 
to  her  that  bare  him.  The  just  man  walketh  in 
his  integrity;  his  children  are  blessed  after  him. 
The  eye  that  mocketh  at  his  father,  and  despiseth 

25 


26       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

to  obey  his  mother,  the  ravens  of  the  valley  shall 
pick  it  out,  and  the  young  eagles  shall  eat  it. 

My  son,  attend  unto  my  wisdom,  and  bow 
thine  ear  to  my  understanding;  that  thou  mayest 
regard  discretion,  and  that  thy  lips  may  keep 
knowledge.  Whoso  robbeth  his  father  or  his 
mother,  and  saith,  It  is  no  transgression;  the 
same  is  the  companion  of  a  destroyer.  He  that 
wasteth  his  father,  and  chaseth  away  his  mother, 
is  a  son  that  causeth  shame,  and  bringeth  re- 
proach. Cease,  my  son,  to  hear  the  instruction 
that  causeth  to  err  from  the  words  of  knowledge. 

A  wise  son  heareth  his  father's  instruction;  but 
a  scorner  heareth  not  rebuke.  A  wise  son  maketh 
a  glad  father;  but  a  foolish  man  despiseth  his 
mother.  A  fool  despiseth  his  father's  instruction; 
but  he  that  regardeth  reproof  is  prudent.  Whoso 
keepeth  the  law  is  a  wise  son;  but  he  that  is  a  com- 
panion of  riotous  men  shameth  his  father.  Even 
a  child  is  known  by  his  doings,  whether  his  work 
be  pure,  and  whether  it  be  right. 

My  son,  attend  to  my  words;  incline  thine  ear 
unto  my  sayings.  Let  them  not  depart  from 
thine  eyes;  keep  them  in  the  midst  of  thine  heart. 
For  they  are  life  unto  those  that  find  them,  and 
health  to  all  their  flesh. 


CHAPTER  VII 

SPARING    THE    ROD    OR    FAMILY    DISCIPLINE 

XXT'HOSO  loveth  instruction  loveth  knowledge; 
^  '  but  he  that  hateth  reproof  is  brutish.  As 
an  earring  of  gold,  and  an  ornament  of  fine 
gold,  so  is  a  wise  reprover  upon  an  obedient  ear. 
The  ear  that  heareth  the  reproof  of  life,  abideth 
among  the  wise.  He  that  refuseth  instruction 
despiseth  his  own  soul;  but  he  that  heareth  re- 
proof getteth  understanding.  Correction  is  griev- 
ous unto  him  that  forsaketh  the  way;  and  he  that 
hateth  reproof  shall  die. 

Withhold  not  correction  from  the  child,  for  if 
thou  correctest  him  with  the  rod,  he  shall  not  die. 
Thou  shalt  chastise  him  with  the  rod,  and  shalt 
deliver  his  soul  from  hell.  He  that  spareth  the 
rod  hateth  his  son;  but  he  that  loveth  him  chas- 
teneth  him  betimes.  The  rod  and  reproof  give 
wisdom;  but  a  child  left  to  himself  bringeth  his 
mother  to  shame.  Foolishness  is  bound  in  the 
heart  of  a  child;  but  the  rod  of  correction  shall 
drive  it  far  from  him.  Chasten  thy  son  while 
there  is  hope,  and  let  not  thy  soul  spare  for  his 
crying.  Poverty  and  shame  shall  be  to  him  that 
refuseth  instruction;  but  he  that  regardeth  re- 
proof shall  be  honoured.  Correct  thy  son,  and 
he  shall  give  thee  rest;  yea,  he  shall  give  delight 

27 


28       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


unto  thy  soul.  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he 
should  go:  and  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart 
from  it. 

My  son,  be  wise,  and  make  my  heart  glad,  that 
I  may  answer  him  that  reproacheth  me. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

CONCERNING    SERVANTS 

A    wise  servant  shall  have  rule  over  a  son  that 
'^*-  causeth  shame,  and  shall  have  part  of  the 
inheritance  among  the  brethren. 

As  the  cold  of  snow  in  the  time  of  harvest,  so 
is  a  faithful  messenger  to  them  that  send  him; 
for  he  refresheth  the  soul  of  his  masters.  As 
vinegar  to  the  teeth,  and  as  smoke  to  the  eyes,  so 
is  the  sluggard  to  them  that  send  him. 

The  king's  favour  is  toward  a  wise  servant;  but 
his  wrath  is  against  him  that  causeth  shame. 
Delight  is  not  seemly  for  a  fool;  much  less  for  a 
servant  to  have  rule  over  princes.  He  that  deli- 
cately bringeth  up  his  servant  from  a  child  shall 
have  him  become  his  son  in  the  end.  For  three 
things  the  earth  is  disquieted,  and  for  four  which 
it  cannot  bear:  for  a  servant  when  he  reigneth; 
and  a  fool  when  he  is  filled  with  meat;  for  an 
odious  woman  when  she  is  married;  and  an  hand- 
maid that  is  heir  to  her  mistress. 

Also  take  no  heed  unto  all  words  that  are 
spoken;  lest  thou  hear  thy  servant  curse  thee: 
for  oftentimes  also  thine  own  heart  knoweth  that 
thou  thyself  likewise  hast  cursed  others.  Accuse 
not  a  servant  unto  his  master,  lest  he  curse  thee, 

29 


30       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

and  thou  be  found  guilty.  A  servant  will  not  be 
corrected  by  words;  for  though  he  understand  he 
will  not  answer. 

Whoso  keepeth  the  fig  tree  shall  eat  the  fruit 
thereof;  so  he  that  waiteth  on  his  master  shall  be 
honoured. 


CHAPTER  IX 

WHO    ARE    YOUR    COMPANIONS? 

"D  E  not  thou  envious  against  evil  men,  neither 
■*-'  desire    to    be   with    them.     For   their   heart 
studieth  destruction,  and  their  lips  talk  of 
mischief. 

My  son,  if  sinners  entice  thee,  consent  thou  not. 
If  they  say,  "Come  with  us,  let  us  lay  wait  for 
blood,  let  us  lurk  privily  for  the  innocent  without 
cause;  let  us  swallow  them  up  alive  as  the  grave; 
and  whole,  as  those  that  go  down  into  the  pit;  we 
shall  find  all  precious  substance,  we  shall  fill  our 
houses  with  spoil;  cast  thy  lot  among  us;  let  us 
all  have  one  purse."  My  son,  walk  not  thou  in 
the  way  with  them;  refrain  thy  foot  from  their 
path,  for  their  feet  run  to  evil,  and  make  haste  to 
shed  blood.  Surely  in  vain  the  net  is  spread  in 
the  sight  of  any  bird.  And  they  lay  wait  for 
their  own  blood;  they  lurk  privily  for  their  own 
lives.  So  are  the  ways  of  every  one  that  is  greedy 
of  gain;  which  taketh  away  the  life  of  the  owners 
thereof.  Whoso  is  partner  with  a  thief  hateth 
his  own  soul;  he  heareth  cursing,  and  bewrayeth 
it  not. 

There  is  a  generation  that  curseth  their  father, 
and  doth  not  bless  their  mother.  There  is  a 
generation  that  are  pure  in  their  own  eyes,  and 


32       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


yet  is  not  washed  from  their  filthiness.  There 
is  a  generation,  O  how  lofty  are  their  eyes!  and 
their  eyelids  are  lifted  up.  There  is  a  generation, 
whose  teeth  are  as  swords,  and  their  jaw  teeth  as 
knives,  to  devour  the  poor  from  off  the  earth,  and 
the  needy  from  among  men. 

A  naughty  person,  a  wicked  man,  walketh  with 
a  froward  mouth.  He  winketh  with  his  eyes,  he 
speaketh  with  his  feet,  he  teacheth  with  his 
fingers;  frowardness  is  in  his  heart,  he  deviseth 
mischief  continually;  he  soweth  discord.  There- 
fore shall  his  calamity  come  suddenly;  suddenly 
shall  he  be  broken  without  remedy. 

These  six  things  doth  the  Lord  hate;  yea,  seven 
are  an  abomination  unto  him:  A  proud  look,  a 
lying  tongue,  and  hands  that  shed  innocent  blood, 
an  heart  that  deviseth  wicked  imaginations,  feet 
that  be  swift  in  running  to  mischief,  a  false  wit- 
ness that  speaketh  lies,  and  he  that  soweth  dis- 
cord among  brethren.  The  righteous  is  more 
excellent  than  his  neighbour;  but  the  way  of  the 
wicked  seduceth  them. 

Eat  thou  not  the  bread  of  him  that  hath  an 
eye  for  evil,  neither  desire  thou  his  dainty  meats, 
for  as  he  thinketh  in  his  heart,  so  is  he.  "Eat 
and  drink,"  saith  he  to  thee;  but  his  heart  is  not 
with  thee.  The  morsel  which  thou  hast  eaten 
shalt  thou  vomit  up,  and  lose  thy  sweet  words. 


Who  are  Your  Companions  3  3 


When  wisdom  entereth  into  thine  heart,  and 
knowledge  is  pleasant  unto  thy  soul,  discretion 
shall  preserve  thee.  Understanding  shall  keep 
thee,  to  deliver  thee  from  the  way  of  the  evil  man , 
from  the  man  that  speaketh  froward  things;  who 
leave  the  paths  of  righteousness,  to  walk  in  the 
ways  of  darkness;  who  rejoice  to  do  evil,  and 
delight  in  the  frowardness  of  the  wicked;  whose 
ways  are  crooked,  and  they  froward  in  their  paths; 
to  deliver  thee  from  the  strange  woman,  even 
from  the  stranger  which  flattereth  with  her  words; 
which  forsaketh  the  guide  of  her  youth,  and  for- 
getteth  the  covenant  of  her  God.  For  her  house 
inclineth  unto  death,  and  her  paths  unto  the  dead. 
None  that  go  unto  her  return  again,  neither  take 
they  hold  of  the  paths  of  life. 

Walk  thou  in  the  way  of  good  men,  and  keep 
the  paths  of  the  righteous.  For  the  upright  shall 
dwell  in  the  land,  and  the  perfect  shall  remain  in 
it.  But  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off  from  the 
earth,  and  the  transgressors  shall  be  rooted  out  of 
it.  He  that  walketh  with  wise  men  shall  be  wise; 
but  a  companion  of  fools  shall  be  destroyed. 


CHAPTER  X 

GOLD    AND    DROSS    IN    HUMAN    CHARACTER 

'  I  *HE  Lord  hath  made  all  things  for  himself; 
"^     yea,  even  the  wicked  for  the  day  of  evil. 

Every  one  that  is  proud  in  heart  is  an  abomina- 
tion to  the  Lord;  though  hand  join  in  hand,  he 
shall  not  be  unpunished.  A  man's  pride  shall 
bring  him  low;  but  honour  shall  uphold  the  humble 
in  spirit.  Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  a 
haughty  spirit  before  a  fall.  Better  is  it  to  be 
of  a  humble  spirit  with  the  lowly,  than  to  divide 
the  spoil  with  the  proud.  He  that  is  of  a  proud 
heart  stirreth  up  strife;  but  he  that  putteth  his 
trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  made  fat.  Only  by 
pride  cometh  contention;  but  with  the  well  ad- 
vised is  wisdom.  Before  destruction  the  heart 
of  man  is  haughty,  and  before  honour  is  humility. 

It  is  not  good  to  eat  much  honey;  so  for  men  to 
search  their  own  glory  is  not  glory.  He  that 
hath  no  rule  over  his  own  spirit  is  like  a  city  that 
is  broken  down,  and  without  walls.  Better  is  the 
end  of  a  thing  than  the  beginning  thereof;  and 
the  patient  in  spirit  is  better  than  the  proud  in 
spirit.  Most  men  will  proclaim  every  one  his 
own  goodness;  but  a  faithful  man  who  can  find.^ 
For  there  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth 
good,   and   sinneth   not.     As   the  fining   pot  for 

34 


Gold  and  Dross  in  Human  Character        35 

silver,  and  the  furnace  for  gold,  so  is  a  man  to  his 
praise.  The  poor  and  the  deceitful  man  meet 
together;  the  Lord  lighteneth  both  their  eyes. 

Bread  of  deceit  is  sweet  to  a  man;  but  after- 
wards his  mouth  shall  be  filled  with  gravel.  A 
wicked  man  hardeneth  his  face;  but  as  for  the 
upright,  he  directeth  his  way.  Whoso  boasteth 
himself  of  a  false  gift  is  like  clouds  and  wind 
without  rain.  Wrath  is  cruel,  and  anger  is  out- 
rageous; but  who  is  able  to  stand  before  envy.^ 
Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love.  Faithful 
are  the  wounds  of  a  friend;  but  the  kisses  of  an 
enemy  are  deceitful.  The  bloodthirsty  hate  the 
upright;  but  the  just  seek  his  soul. 

Hell  and  destruction  are  never  full;  so  the  eyes 
of  man  are  never  satisfied.  The  backslider  in 
heart  shall  be  filled  with  his  own  ways;  but  a 
good  man  shall  be  satisfied  from  himself. 


CHAPTER  XI 

DANGER     SIGNALS     FOR     DANGEROUS     PATHS 

"IXT'ISDOM   crieth   without;    she   uttereth   her 
'  ^     voice  in  the  streets.     She  crieth  in  the  chief 
place  of  concourse,  in  the  openings  of  the 
gates.     In  the  city  she  uttereth  her  words,  say- 
ing: 

"How  long,  ye  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  simplici- 
ty.^ and  the  scorners  delight  in  their  scorning,  and 
fools  hate  knowledge.''  Turn  you  at  my  reproof; 
behold  I  will  pour  out  my  spirit  unto  you,  I  will 
make  known  my  words  unto  you.  Because  I 
have  called,  and  ye  refused,  I  have  stretched  out 
my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded;  but  ye  have  set 
at  naught  all  my  counsel,  and  would  none  of  my 
reproof,  I  will  also  laugh  at  your  calamity,  I  will 
mock  when  your  fear  cometh,  when  your  fear 
Cometh  as  desolation,  and  your  destruction  cometh 
as  a  whirlwind;  when  distress  and  anguish  cometh 
upon  you.  Then  shall  they  call  upon  me,  but  I 
will  not  answer;  they  shall  seek  me  early,  but 
they  shall  not  find  me,  for  that  they  hated  knowl- 
edge, and  did  not  choose  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
They  would  none  of  my  counsel — they  despised 
all  my  reproof.  Therefore  shall  they  eat  of  the 
fruit  of  their  own  way,  and  be  filled  with  their 
own  devices.  For  the  turning  away  of  the  simple 
shall  slay  them,  and  the  prosperity  of  fools  shall 
destroy  them.  But  whoso  hearkeneth  unto  me 
36 


Danger  Signals  for  Dangerous  Paths         37 

shall  dwell  safely,  and  shall  be  quiet  from  fear  of 
evil." 

A  man  that  doeth  violence  to  the  blood  of  any 
person  shall  flee  to  the  pit;  let  no  man  stay  him. 
Whoso  walketh  uprightly  shall  be  saved;  but  he 
that  is  perverse  in  his  ways  shall  fall  at  once.  He 
that  keepeth  the  commandment  keepeth  his  own 
soul;  but  he  that  despiseth  his  ways  shall  die. 
The  way  of  life  is  above  to  the  wise,  that  he  may 
depart  from  hell  beneath.  He  that  covereth  his 
sins  shall  not  prosper;  but  whoso  confesseth  and 
forsaketh  them  shall  have  mercy.  Happy  is  the 
man  that  feareth  alway;  but  he  that  hardeneth 
his  heart  shall  fall  into  mischief.  His  own  iniqui- 
ties shall  take  the  wicked  himself,  and  he  shall 
be  holden  with  the  cords  of  his  sins.  He  shall 
die  without  instruction;  and  in  the  greatness  of 
his  folly  he  shall  go  astray. 

A  scorner  loveth  not  one  that  reproveth  him; 
neither  will  he  go  unto  the  wise.  He,  that  being 
often  reproved  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly 
be  destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy.  There 
is  a  way  that  seemeth  right  unto  a  man,  but  the 
end  thereof  are  the  ways  of  death.  A  prudent 
man  foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself;  but 
the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 


CHAPTER  XII 

beware! 

TV/TY  son,  keep  my  words,  and  lay  up  my  com- 
'*-'-'■  mandments  with  thee.  Keep  my  com- 
mandments, and  Hve;  and  my  law  as  the 
apple  of  thine  eye.  Bind  them  upon  thy  fingers, 
write  them  upon  the  table'  of  thine  heart.  Say 
unto  wisdom, "Thou  art  my  sister;"  and  call  under- 
standing thy  kinswoman:  that  they  may  keep 
thee  from  the  strange  woman,  from  the  stranger 
which  flattereth  with  her  words. 

For  at  the  window  of  my  house  I  looked  through 
my  casement,  and  beheld  among  the  simple  ones; 
I  discerned  among  the  youths,  a  young  man  void 
of  understanding,  passing  through  the  street  near 
her  corner;  and  he  went  the  way  to  her  house, 
in  the  twilight,  in  the  evening,  in  the  black  and 
dark  night.  And,  behold,  there  met  him  a  woman 
with  the  attire  of  a  harlot,  and  subtil  of  heart. 
(She  is  loud  and  stubborn;  her  feet  abide  not  in 
her  house.)  Now  is  she  without,  now  in  the 
streets,  and  lieth  in  wait  at  every  corner. 

So  she  caught  him,  and  kissed  him,  and  with 
an  impudent  face  said  unto  him:  "I  have  peace 
offerings  with  me;  this  day  have  I  paid  my  vows. 
Therefore  came  I  forth  to  meet  thee,  deligently 
to  seek  thy  face,  and  I  have  found  thee.  I  have 
decked  my  bed  with  coverings  of  tapestry,  with 

-.8 


Beware  39 

carved  works,  with  fine  linen  of  Egypt.  I  have 
perfumed  my  bed  with  myrrh,  aloes,  and  cinna- 
mon. Come,  let  us  take  our  fill  of  love  until  the 
morning;  let  us  solace  ourselves  with  loves.  For 
the  goodman  is  not  at  home;  he  is  gone  a  long 
journey.  He  hath  taken  a  bag  of  money  with 
him,  and  will  come  home  at  the  day  appointed." 
With  her  much  fair  speech  she  caused  him  to 
yield,  with  the  flattering  of  her  lips  she  forced  him. 
He  goeth  after  her  straightway,  as  an  ox  goeth 
to  the  slaughter,  or  as  a  fool  to  the  correction  of 
the  stocks,  till  a  dart  strike  through  his  liver;  as 
a  bird  hasteth  to  the  snare,  and  knoweth  not 
that  it  is  for  his  life. 

Hearken  unto  me  now  therefore,  O  ye  children, 
and  attend  to  the  words  of  my  mouth.  Let  not 
thy  heart  decline  to  her  ways,  go  not  astray  in 
her  paths.  For  she  hast  cast  down  many  wound- 
ed; yea,  many  strong  men  have  been  slain  by  her. 
Her  house  is  the  way  to  hell,  going  down  to  the 
chambers  of  death. 

My  son,  keep  thy  father's  commandment,  and 
forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother;  bind  them 
continually  upon  thine  heart,  and  tie  them  about 
thy  neck.  When  thou  goest,  it  shall  lead  thee; 
when  thou  sleepest,  it  shall  keep  thee;  and  when 
thou  awakest,  it  shall  talk  with  thee.  For  the 
commandment  is  a  lamp;  and  the  law  is  light; 
and  reproofs  of  instruction  are  the  way  of  life,  to 
keep  thee  from  the  evil  woman,  from  the  flattery 


40       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


of  the  tongue  of  a  strange  woman.  Lust  not 
after  her  beauty  in  thine  heart;  neither  let  her 
take  thee  with  her  eyelids.  For  by  means  of  a 
whorish  woman  a  man  is  brought  to  a  piece  of 
bread;  and  the  adulteress  will  hunt  for  the  precious 
life. 

A  foolish  woman  is  clamorous;  she  is  simple, 
and  knoweth  nothing.  For  she  sitteth  at  the 
door  of  her  house,  on  a  seat  in  the  high  places  of 
the  city,  to  call  passengers  who  go  right  on  their 
ways.  Whoso  is  simple,  let  him  turn  in  hither; 
and  as  for  him  that  wanteth  understanding,  she 
saith  to  him,  "Stolen  waters  are  sweet,  and  bread 
eaten  in  secret  is  pleasant."  But  he  knoweth 
not  that  the  dead  are  there;  and  that  her  guests 
are  in  the  depths  of  hell.  Such  is  the  way  of  an 
adulterous  woman;  she  eateth,  and  wipeth  her 
mouth,  and  saith,  I  have  done  no  wickedness. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

SOME    STRIKING    CONTRASTS 

A    good    man   obtaineth    favour   of   the    Lord; 
■^*-  but  a  man  of  wicked  devices  will  He  con- 
demn. 
A  man  shall  not  be  established  by  wickedness; 
but  the  root  of  the  righteous  shall  not  be  moved. 

The  wicked  desireth  the  net  of  evil  men;  but 
the  root  of  the  righteous  yieldeth  fruit. 

The  wicked  is  snared  by  the  transgression  of 
his  lips;  but  the  just  shall  come  out  of  trouble. 
The  merciful  man  doeth  good  to  his  own  soul; 
but  he  that  is  cruel  troubleth  his  own  flesh.  The 
wicked  worketh  a  deceitful  work;  but  to  him 
that  soweth  righteousness  shall  be  a  sure  reward. 
As  righteousness  tendeth  to  life;  so  he  that  pur- 
sueth  evil  pursueth  it  to  his  own  death.  They 
that  are  of  a  froward  heart  are  abomination  to  the 
Lord;  but  such  as  are  upright  in  their  way  are 
his  delight. 

Though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall 
not  be  unpunished:  but  the  seed  of  the  righteous 
shall  be  delivered.  It  is  as  sport  to  a  fool  to  do 
mischief;  but  a  man  of  understanding  hath  wis- 
dom. The  fear  of  the  wicked,  it  shall  come  upon 
him;  but  the  desire  of  the  righteous  shall  be 
granted.     As  the  whirlwind   passeth,    so    is   the 

41 


42       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


wicked  no  more;  but  the  righteous  is  an  ever- 
lasting foundation.  The  desire  of  the  righteous 
is  only  good;  but  the  expectation  of  the  wicked 
is  wrath.  The  fear  of  the  Lord  prolongeth  days; 
but  the  years  of  the  wicked  shall  be  shortened. 
The  hope  of  the  righteous  shall  be  gladness;  but 
the  expectation  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 

The  way  of  the  Lord  is  strength  to  the  upright; 
but  destruction  shall  be  to  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
The  righteous  shall  never  be  removed;  but  the 
wicked  shall  not  inhabit  the  earth.  The  sacrifice 
of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord;  but 
the  prayer  of  the  upright  is  his  delight.  The  way 
of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  unto  the  Lord; 
but  he  loveth  him  that  followeth  after  righteous- 
ness. A  righteous  man  hateth  lying;  but  a 
wicked  man  is  loathsome,  and  cometh  to  shame. 
Righteousness  keepeth  him  that  is  upright  in  the 
way;  but  wickedness  overthroweth  the  sinner. 

Though  a  sinner  do  evil  an  hundred  times,  and 
his  days  be  prolonged,  yet  surely  I  know  that  it 
shall  be  well  with  them  that  fear  God,  which  fear 
before  him.  But  it  shall  not  be  well  with  the 
wicked,  neither  shall  he  prolong  his  days,  which 
are  as  a  shadov/,  because  he  feareth  not  before 
God.  The  fruit  of  the  righteous  is  a  tree  of  life; 
and  he  that  winneth  souls  is  wise.  Behold,  the 
righteous  shall  be  recompensed  in  the  earth;  much 
more  the  wicked  and  the  sinner. 


Some    Striking    Contrasts  43 

The  wicked  flee  when  no  man  pursueth;  but 
the  righteous  are  bold  as  a  lion.  When  pride 
Cometh,  then  cometh  shame;  but  with  the  lowly 
is  wisdom.  The  integrity  of  the  upright  shall 
guide  them ;  but  the  perverseness  of  transgressors 
shall  destroy  them.  Fret  not  thyself  because  of 
evil  men,  neither  be  thou  envious  at  the  wicked; 
for  there  shall  be  no  reward  to  the  evil  man;  the 
candle  of  the  wicked  shall  be  put  out. 

The  righteous  eateth  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
soul;  but  the  belly  of  the  wicked  shall  want. 
The  righteousness  of  the  perfect  shall  direct  his 
way;  but  the  wicked  shall  fall  by  his  own  wicked- 
ness. The  righteousness  of  the  upright  shall 
deliver  them;  but  transgressors  shall  be  taken 
in  their  own  naughtiness.  When  a  wicked  man 
di'dth,  his  expectation  shall  perish;  and  the  hope 
of  unjust  men  perisheth.  The  righteous  is  de- 
livered out  of  trouble,  and  the  wicked  cometh  in 
his  stead. 

The  Lord  is  far  from  the  wicked;  but  he  heareth 
the  prayer  of  the  righteous.  The  light  of  the 
righteous  rejoiceth;  but  the  lamp  of  the  wicked 
shall  be  put  out.  There  shall  no  evil  happen  to 
the  just;  but  the  vv^icked  shall  be  filled  with  mis- 
chief. The  highway  of  the  upright  is  to  depart 
from  evil;  he  that  keepeth  his  way  preserveth  his 
soul. 

The  house  of  the  wicked  shall  be  overthrown; 
but  the  tabernacle  of  the  upright  shall  flourish. 


44       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

The  righteous  man  wisely  considereth  the  house 
of  the  wicked;  but  God  overthroweth  the  wicked 
for  their  wickedness.  The  wicked  are  overthrown 
and  are  not;  but  the  house  of  the  righteous 
shall  stand.  The  righteous  considereth  the  cause 
of  the  poor;  but  the  wicked  regardeth  not  to 
know  it.  A  righteous  man  regardeth  the  life  of 
his  beast;  but  the  tender  mercies  of  the  wicked 
are  cruel.  In  the  transgression  of  an  evil  man 
there  is  a  snare;  but  the  righteous  doth  sing  and 
rejoice. 

The  evil  bow  before  the  good;  and  the  wicked 
at  the  gates  of  the  righteous.  The  wicked  shall 
be  a  ransom  for  the  righteous,  and  the  transgressor 
for  the  upright.  The  wicked  is  driven  away  in 
his  wickedness;  but  the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his 
death.  Blessings  are  upon  the  head  of  the  just; 
but  violence  covereth  the  mouth  of  the  wicked. 
The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed;  but  the  name 
of  the  wicked  shall  rot.  In  the  way  of  righteous- 
ness is  life;  and  in  the  pathway  thereof  there  is 
no  death. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

THE    PRINCIPAL   THING 

\X7H0  is  the  wise  man?  and  who  knoweth  the 
interpretation  of  a  thing?  A  man's  wis- 
dom maketh  his  face  to  shine,  and  the 
boldness  of  his  face  shall  be  changed.  Happy  is 
the  man  that  findeth  wisdom,  and  the  man  that 
getteth  understanding.  For  the  merchandise  of 
it  is  better  than  the  merchandise  of  silver,  and 
the  gain  thereof  than  fine  gold.  She  is  more 
precious  than  rubies,  and  all  the  things  thou 
canst  desire  are  not  to  be  compared  unto  her. 

Length  of  days  is  in  her  right  hand;  and  in 
her  left  hand,  riches  and  honour.  Her  ways  are 
ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her  paths  are  peace. 
She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  upon 
her;  and  happy  is  every  one  that  retaineth  her. 
The  Lord  by  wisdom  hath  founded  the  earth; 
by  understanding  hath  he  established  the  heavens. 
By  his  knowledge  the  depths  are  broken  up,  and 
the  clouds  drop  down  the  dew. 

Get  wisdom,  get  understanding:  forget  it  not; 
neither  decline  from  the  words  of  my  mouth. 
Forsake  her  not,  and  she  shall  preserve  thee;  love 
her,  and  she  shall  keep  thee.  Wisdom  is  the 
principal  thing;  therefore  get  wisdom;  and  with 
all  thy  getting  get  understanding.  Exalt  her, 
and  she  shall  promote  thee;  she  shall  bring  thee 
to  honour,  when  thou   dost  embrace  her.     She 

45 


46       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

shall  give  to  thine  head  an  ornament  of  grace; 
a  crown  of  glory  shall  she  deliver  to  thee. 

Hear,  O  my  son,  and  receive  my  sayings;  and 
the  years  of  thy  life  shall  be  many.  I  have 
taught  thee  in  the  way  of  wisdom;  I  have  led 
thee  in  right  paths.  When  thou  goest,  thy  steps 
shall  not  be  straitened;  and  when  thou  runnest, 
thou  shalt  not  stumble.  Take  fast  hold  of  in- 
struction; let  her  not  go;  keep  her;  for  she  is  thy 
life. 

Through  wisdom  is  an  house  builded;  and  by 
understanding  it  is  established;  and  by  knowledge 
shall  the  chambers  be  filled  with  all  precious  and 
pleasant  riches.  A  wise  man  is  strong;  yea,  a 
man  of  knowledge  increaseth  strength.  For  by 
wise  counsel  thou  shalt  make  thy  war;  and  in 
multitude  of  counsellors  there  is  safety.  Wisdom 
is  too  high  for  a  fool;  he  openeth  not  his  mouth 
in  the  gate. 

A  man  shall  be  commended  according  to  his 
wisdom;  but  he  that  is  of  a  perverse  heart  shall 
be  despised.  Whoso  despiseth  the  word  shall  be 
destroyed;  but  he  that  feareth  the  commandment 
shall  be  rewarded.  The  law  of  the  wise  is  a  foun- 
tain of  life,  to  depart  from  the  snares  of  death. 
Good  understanding  giveth  favour;  but  the  way 
of  transgressors  is  hard.  Every  prudent  man 
dealeth  with  knowledge;  but  a  fool  layeth  open  his 
folly. 


The  Principal  Thing  47 

My  son,  eat  thou  honey,  because  it  is  good; 
and  the  honeycomb,  which  is  sweet  to  thy  taste; 
so  shall  the  knowledge  of  wisdom  be  unto  thy 
soul.  When  thou  hast  found  it,  then  there  shall 
be  a  reward,  and  thy  expectation  shall  not  be  cut 
off.  The  heart  of  the  prudent  getteth  knowledge; 
and  the  ear  of  the  wise  seeketh  knowledge.  The 
heart  of  him  that  hath  understanding  seeketh 
knowledge;  but  the  mouth  of  fools  feedeth  on 
foolishness.  A  scorner  seeketh  wisdom,  and 
iindeth  it  not,  but  knowledge  is  easy  unto  him 
that  understandeth.  Folly  is  joy  to  him  that  is 
destitute  of  wisdom;  but  a  man  of  understanding 
walketh  uprightly. 

Wisdom  is  good  with  an  inheritance;  and  by  it 
there  is  profit  to  them  that  see  the  sun.  For 
wisdom  is  a  defence,  and  money  is  a  defence;  but 
the  excellency  of  knowledge  is,  that  wisdom 
giveth  life  to  them  that  have  it.  Buy  the  truth, 
and  sell  it  not;  also  wisdom,  and  instruction,  and 
understanding.  He  that  getteth  wisdom  loveth 
his  own  soul.  He  that  keepeth  understanding 
shall  find  good.  How  much  better  is  it  to  get 
wisdom  than  gold!  and  to  get  understanding  rather 
to  be  chosen  than  silver! 

The  wise  in  heart  shall  be  called  prudent;  and 
the  sweetness  of  the  lips  increaseth  learning. 
Understanding  is  a  wellspring  of  life  unto  him 
that  hath  it;  but  the  instruction  of  the  fools  is 
folly.  The  heart  of  the  wise  teacheth  his  mouth, 
and  addeth  learning  to  his  lips. 


CHAPTER  XV 

KNOWLEDGE    IS    POWER 

T^OTH  not  wisdom  cry?  and  understanding  put 
^^  forth  her  voice?  She  standeth  in  the  top 
of  high  places,  by  the  way  in  the  places 
of  the  paths.  She  crieth  at  the  gates,  at  the  entry 
of  the  city,  at  the  coming  in  at  the  doors: 

"Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call;  and  my  voice  is  to 
the  sons  of  man,  O  ye  simple,  understand  wis- 
dom: and,  ye  fools,  be  ye  of  an  understanding 
heart.  Hear;  for  I  shall  speak  of  excellent  things; 
and  the  opening  of  my  lips  shall  be  right  things. 
For  my  mouth  shall  speak  truth;  and  wickedness 
is  an  abomination  to  my  lips. 

"All  the  words  of  my  mouth  are  in  righteous- 
ness; there  is  nothing  froward  or  perverse  in  them. 
They  are  all  plain  to  him  that  understandeth, 
and  right  to  them  that  find  knowledge.  Receive 
my  instruction,  and  not  silver;  and  knowledge 
rather  than  choice  gold.  For  wisdom  is  better 
than  rubies;  and  all  the  things  that  may  be  de- 
sired are  not  to  be  compared  to  it. " 

"I  wisdom  dwell  with  prudence,  and  find  out 
knowledge  of  witty  inventions.  The  fear  of  the 
Lord  is  to  hate  evil;  pride,  and  arrogancy,  and 
the  evil  way,  and  the  froward  mouth,  do  I  hate. 

48 


Knowledge   is   Power  49 


Counsel  is  mine,  and  sound  wisdom.  I  am  un- 
derstanding; I  have  strength.  By  me  kings  reign, 
and  princes  decree  justice.  By  me  princes  rule, 
and  nobles,  even  all  the  judges  of  the  earth. 

"I  love  them  that  love  me;  and  those  that  seek 
me  early  shall  find  me.  Riches  and  honour  are 
with  me;  yea,  durable  riches  and  righteousness. 
My  fruit  is  better  than  gold,  yea,  than  fine  gold; 
and  my  revenue  than  choice  silver.  I  lead  in  the 
way  of  righteousness,  in  the  midst  of  the  paths  of 
judgment,  that  I  may  cause  those  that  love  me 
to  inherit  substance;  and  I  will  fill  their  treasures. " 

"The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of 
His  way,  before  His  works  of  old.  I  was  set  up 
from  everlasting,  from  the  beginning,  or  ever  the 
earth  was.  When  there  were  no  depths,  I  was 
brought  forth;  when  there  were  no  fountains 
abounding  with  water.  Before  the  mountains 
were  settled,  before  the  hills  was  I  brought  forth, 
while  as  yet  He  had  not  made  the  earth,  nor  the 
fields,  nor  the  highest  part  of  the  dust  of  the 
world. 

"When  He  prepared  the  heavens,  I  was  there; 
when  He  set  a  compass  upon  the  face  of  the  depth; 
when  He  established  the  clouds  above;  when  He 
strengthened  the  fountains  of  the  deep;  when  He 
gave  to  the  sea  His  decree,  that  the  waters  should 
not  pass  His  commandment;  when  He  appointed 
the  foundations  of  the  earth,  then  I  was  by  Him, 
as  one  brought  up  with  Him.     And  I  was  daily 


50       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

His  delight,  rejoicing  always  before  Him;  rejoicing 
in  the  habitable  part  ot  His  earth;  and  my  delights 
were  with  the  sons  of  men. 

"Now  therefore  hearken  unto  me,  O  ye  child- 
ren: for  blessed  are  they  that  keep  my  ways. 
Hear  instruction,  and  be  wise,  and  refuse  it  not. 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  heareth  me,  watching 
daily  at  my  gates,  waiting  at  the  posts  of  my 
doors.  For  whoso  findeth  me  findeth  life,  and 
shall  obtain  favour  of  the  Lord.  But  he  that 
sinneth  against  me  wrongeth  his  own  soul;  all 
they  that  hate  me  love  death." 

The  wise  shall  inherit  glory;  but  shame  shall 
be  the  promotion  of  fools.  There  is  gold,  and  a 
multitude  of  rubies:  but  the  lips  of  knowledge 
are  a  precious  jewel.  Apply  thine  heart  unto 
instruction,  and  thine  ears  to  the  words  of  knowl- 
edge. Counsel  in  the  heart  of  man  is  like  deep 
water;  but  a  man  of  understanding  will  draw  it 
out.  The  man  that  wandereth  out  of  the  way  of 
understanding  shall  remain  in  the  congregation 
of  the  dead.  Wisdom  strengtheneth  the  wise 
more  than  ten  mighty  men  which  are  in  the  city. 
A  wise  man  scaleth  the  city  of  the  mighty,  and 
casteth  down  the  strength  of  the  confidence 
thereof. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

MAKE   HAY  WHILE  THE   SUN   SHINES 

/^AST  thy  bread  upon  the  waters;  for  thou  shalt 
^*^  find  it  after  many  days.  Give  a  portion  to 
seven,  and  also  to  eight;  for  thou  knowest 
not  what  evil  shall  be  upon  the  earth.  If  the 
clouds  be  full  of  rain,  they  empty  themselves 
upon  the  earth;  and  if  the  tree  fall  toward  the 
south,  or  toward  the  north,  in  the  place  where 
the  tree  falleth,  there  it  shall  be. 

He  that  observeth  the  wind  shall  not  sow;  and 
he  that  regardeth  the  clouds  shall  not  reap.  As 
thou  knowest  not  what  is  the  way  of  the  spirit, 
nor  how  the  bones  do  grow  in  the  womb  of  her 
that  is  with  child,  even  so  thou  knowest  not  the 
works  of  God  who  maketh  all.  In  the  morning 
sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold  not 
thine  hand;  for  thou  knowest  not  whether  shall 
prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether  they  both 
shall  be  alike  good. 

I  went  by  the  field  of  the  slothful,  and  by  the 
vineyard  of  the  man  void  of  understanding;  and 
lo,  it  was  all  grown  over  with  thorns,  and  nettles 
had  covered  the  face  thereof,  and  the  stone  wall 
thereof  was  broken  down.  Then  I  saw,  and  con- 
sidered it  well;  I  looked  upon  it,  and  received 
instruction.  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber, 
a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep.     So  shall  thy 

51 


52       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


poverty  come  as  one  that  travelleth;  and  thy  want 
as  an  armed  man. 

Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard;  consider  her  ways, 
and  be  wise;  which  having  no  guide,  overseer,  or 
ruler,  provideth  her  meat  in  the  summer,  and 
gathereth  her  food  in  the  harvest.  How  long 
wilt  thou  sleep,  O  sluggard.-*  When  wilt  thou 
arise  out  of  thy  sleep  .^  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little 
slumber,  a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep: 
So  shall  thy  poverty  come  as  one  that  travelleth, 
and  thy  want  as  an  armed  man. 

The  slothful  man  saith,  "There  is  a  lion  in  the 
way;  a  lion  is  in  the  streets. "  As  the  door  turneth 
upon  his  hinges,  so  doth  the  slothful  upon  his  bed. 
The  slothful  hideth  his  hand  in  his  bosom;  it 
grieveth  him  to  bring  it  again  to  his  mouth.  The 
sluggard  is  wiser  in  his  own  conceit  than  seven 
men  that  can  render  a  reason. 

There  be  four  things  which  are  little  upon  the 
earth,  but  they  are  exceeding  wise:  the  ants  are  a 
people  not  strong,  yet  they  prepare  their  meat' 
in  the  summer;  the  conies  are  but  a  feeble  folk, 
yet  they  make  their  houses  in  the  rocks;  the 
locusts  have  no  king,  yet  go  they  forth  all  of 
them  by  bands;  the  spider  taketh  hold  with  her 
hands,  and  is  in  kings'  palaces.  He  that  is 
despised,  and  hath  a  servant,  is  better  than  he 
that  honoureth  himself,  and  lacketh  bread. 


Make  Hay  While  the  Sun  Shines  53 

Be  thou  diligent  to  know  the  state  of  thy 
flocks,  and  look  well  to  thy  herds.  For  riches 
are  not  forever;  and  doth  the  crown  endure  to 
every  generation?  The  hay  appeareth,  and  the 
tender  grass  sheweth  itself,  and  herbs  of  the 
mountains  are  gathered.  The  lambs  are  for  thy 
clothing,  and  the  goats  are  the  price  of  the  field. 
And  thou  shalt  have  goats'  milk  enough  for  thy 
food,  for  the  food  of  thy  household,  and  for  the 
maintenance  of  thy  maidens. 

Love  not  sleep,  lest  thou  come  to  poverty;  open 
thine  eyes,  and  thou  shalt  be  satisfied  with  bread. 
He  becometh  poor  that  dealeth  with  a  slack  hand; 
but  the  hand  of  the  diligent  maketh  rich.  He 
that  gathereth  in  summer  is  a  wise  son;  but  he  that 
sleepeth  in  the  harvest  is  a  son  that  causeth 
shame.  He  that  tilleth  his  land  shall  have  plenty 
of  bread;  but  he  that  followeth  after  vain  persons 
shall  have  poverty  enough.  He  that  tilleth  his 
land  shall  be  satisfied  with  bread;  but  he  that 
followeth  vain  persons  is  void  of  understanding. 
Much  food  is  in  the  tillage  of  the  poor;  but  there 
is  that  is  destroyed  for  want  of  judgment. 

By  much  slothfulness  the  building  decayeth; 
and  through  idleness  of  the  hands  the  house 
droppeth  through.  The  desire  of  the  slothful 
killeth  him;  for  his  hands  refuse  to  labour.  The 
slothful  man  roasteth  not  that  which  he  took  in 
hunting;  but  the  substance  of  a  diligent  man  is 
precious.     The  sluggard  will  not  plow  by  reason 


54       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

of  the  cold;  therefore  shall  he  beg  in  harvest,  and 
have  nothing. 

The  slothful  man  saith,  There  is  a  lion  without, 
I  shall  be  slain  in  the  streets.  He  also  that  is 
slothful  in  his  work  is  brother  to  him  that  is  a 
great  waster.  A  slothful  man  hideth  his  hand 
in  his  bosom,  and  will  not  so  much  as  bring  it  to 
his  mouth  again.  Slothfulness  casteth  into  a 
deep  sleep;  and  an  idle  soul  shall  suffer  hunger. 
The  soul  of  the  sluggard  desireth,  and  hath  noth- 
ing; but  the  soul  of  the  diligent  shall  be  made  fat. 

He  that  laboureth,  laboiireth  for  himself;  for 
his  mouth  craveth  it  of  him.  There  is  treasure 
to  be  deisired,  and  oil  in  the  dwelling  of  the  wise; 
but  a  foolish  man  spendeth  it  up.  In  all  labour 
there  is  profit;  but  the  talk  of  the  lips  tendeth 
only  to  penury.  The  hand  of  the  diligent  shall 
bear  rule;  but  the  slothful  shall  be  under  tribute. 
The  thoughts  of  the  diligent  tend  only  to  plen- 
teousness;  but  of  every  one  that  is  hasty  only 
to  want.  Wealth  gotten  by  vanity  shall  be 
diminished;  but  he  that  gathereth  by  labour  shall 
increase.  Moreover  the  profit  of  the  earth  is  for 
all;  the  king  himself  is  served  by  the  field. 

Behold  that  which  I  have  seen:  it  is  good  and 
comely  for  one  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  to  enjoy 
the  good  of  his  labour  that  he  taketh  under  the 
sun  all  the  days  of  his  life,  which  God  giveth  him; 
for  it  is  his  portion.  Every  man  also  to  whom 
God  hath  given  riches  and  wealth,  and  hath  given 


Make  Hay  While  the  Sun  Shines  55 

him  power  to  eat  thereof,  and  to  take  his  portion, 
and  to  rejoice  in  his  labour;  this  is  the  gift  of  God. 
For  he  shall  not  much  remember  the  days  of  his 
life;  because  God  answereth  him  in  the  joy  of  his 
heart. 

Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with 
thy  might;  for  there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  nor 
knowledge,  nor  wisdom,  in  the  grave,  whither 
thou  goest. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

A    SHORT    COURSE    IN    BUSINESS    PRINCIPLES 

nPWO  are  better  than  one;  because  they  have 
•*■  a  good  reward  for  their  labour.  For  if  they 
fall,  the  one  will  lift  up  his  fellow;  but  woe 
to  him  that  is  alone  when  he  falleth;  for  he  hath 
not  another  to  help  him  up.  Again,  if  two  lie 
together,  then  they  have  heat:  but  how  can  one 
be  warm  alone?  And  if  one  prevail  against  him, 
two  shall  withstand  him;  and  a  threefold  cord  is 
not  quickly  broken. 

The  rich  ruleth  over  the  poor,  and  the  borrower 
is  servant  to  the  lender.  My  son,  if  thou  be 
surety  for  thy  friend,  if  thou  hast  stricken  thy 
hand  with  a  stranger,  thou  art  snared  with  the 
words  of  thy  mouth;  thou  art  taken  with  the 
words  of  thy  mouth.  Do  this  now,  my  son,  and 
deliver  thyself,  when  thou  art  come  into  the  hand 
of  thy  friend:  go,  humble  thyself,  and  make  sure 
thy  friend.  Give  not  sleep  to  thine  eyes,  nor 
slumber  to  thine  eyelids.  Deliver  thyself  as  a 
roe  from  the  hand  of  the  hunter,  and  as  a  bird 
from  the  hand  of  the  fowler. 

Be  not  thou  one  of  them  that  strike  hands,  or 
of  them  that  are  sureties  for  debts.  If  thou  hast 
nothing  to  pay,  why  should  he  take  away  thy  bed 
from  under  thee?  A  man  void  of  understanding 
striketh    hands,    and    becometh    surety    in    the 

56 


A  Short  Course  in  Business  Principles       57 

presence  of  his  friend.  Take  his  garment  that  is 
surety  for  a  stranger:  and  take  pledge  of  him  for 
a  strange  woman.  He  that  is  surety  for  a  stran- 
ger shall  smart  for  it:  and  he  that  hateth  suretyship 
is  sure. 

He  that  diggeth  a  pit  shall  fall  into  it;  and  whoso 
breaketh  an  hedge,  a  serpent  shall  bite  him. 
Whoso  removeth  stones  shall  be  hurt  therewith; 
and  he  that  cleaveth  wood  shall  be  endangered 
thereby. 

If  the  iron  be  blunt,  and  he  do  not  whet  the 
edge,  then  must  he  put  to  more  strength:  but 
wisdom  is  profitable  to  direct.  He  that  handleth 
a  matter  wisely  shall  find  good;  and  whoso  trust- 
eth  in  the  Lord,  happy  is  he. 

Prepare  thy  work  without,  and  make  it  fit  for 
thyself  in  the  field;  and  afterwards  build  thine 
house.  Seest  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his  business.'' 
he  shall  stand  before  kings;  he  shall  not  stand 
before  mean  men. 

The  simple  believeth  every  word:  but  the 
prudent  man  looketh  well  to  his  going.  A  pru- 
dent man  foreseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself: 
but  the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 

A  just  weight  and  balance  are  the  Lord's:  all 
the  weights  of  the  bag  are  his  work.  Divers 
weights  are  an  abomination  unto  the  Lord;  and  a 


58       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

false  balance  is  not  good.  Divers  weights,  and 
divers  measures,  both  of  them  are  alike  abomina- 
tion to  the  Lord.  A  false  balance  is  abomination 
to  the  Lord:  but  a  just  weight  is  His  delight.  It 
is  naught,  it  is  naught,  saith  the  buyer:  but  when 
he  is  gone  his  way,  then  he  boasteth. 

Confidence  in  an  unfaithful  man  in  time  of 
trouble  is  like  a  broken  tooth,  and  a  foot  out  of 
joint.  A  gift  in  secret  pacifieth  anger:  and  a 
reward  in  the  bosom  strong  wrath.  A  gift  is  as 
a  precious  stone  in  the  eyes  of  him  that  hath  it; 
whithersoever  it  turneth,  it  prospereth. 

The  simple  inherit  folly;  but  the  prudent  are 
crowned  with  knowledge. 

Where  no  oxen  are,  the  crib  is  clean:  but  much 
increase  is  by  the  strength  of  the  ox.  There  is 
that  scattereth,  and  yet  increaseth;  and  there  is 
that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but  it  tendeth 
to  poverty.  The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat; 
dnd  he  that  watereth  shall  be  watered  also  him- 
self. He  that  withholdeth  corn,  the  people  shall 
curse  him;  but  blessing  shall  be  upon  the  head  of 
him  that  selleth  it.  He  tha!t  diligently  seeketh 
good  procureth  favour;  but  he  that  seeketh  mis- 
chief, it  shall  come  unto  him.  Treasures  of 
wickedness  profit  nothing;  but  righteousness  de- 
livereth  from  death.  The  Lord  will  not  suiTer 
the  soul  of  the  righteous  to  famish;  but  he  casteth 
away  the  substance  of  the  wicked. 


A  Short  Course  in  Business  Principles       59 

Be  not  wise  in  thine  own  eyes;  fear  the  Lord, 
and  depart  from  evil.  It  shall  be  health  to  thy 
navel,  and  marrow  to  thy  bones.  Honour  the 
Lord  with  thy  substance,  and  with  the  first  fruits 
of  all  thine  increase.  So  shall  thy  barns  be  filled 
with  plenty,  and  thy  presses  shall  burst  out  with 
new  wine.  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  it  maketh 
rich,  and  he  addeth  no  sorrow  with  it. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

RICHES    AND    POVERTY 

'T^HERE  is  an  evil  which  I  have  seen  under  the 
"*•  sun,  and  it  is  common  among  men:  A  man 
to  whom  God  hath  given  riches,  wealth,  and 
honour,  so  that  he  wanteth  nothing  for  his  soul 
of  all  that  he  desireth,  yet  God  giveth  him  not 
power  to  eat  thereof,  but  a  stranger  eateth  it. 
This  is  vanity,  and  it  is  an  evil  disease. 

If  a  man  beget  an  hundred  children,  and  live 
many  years,  so  that  the  days  of  his  years  be 
many,  and  his  soul  be  not  filled  with  good,  and 
also  that  he  have  no  burial;  I  say,  that  an  untime- 
ly birth  is  better  than  he.  For  he  cometh  in  with 
vanity,  and  departeth  in  darkness,  and  his  name 
shall  be  covered  with  darkness.  Moreover  he 
hath  not  seen  the  sun,  nor  known  any  thing. 
This  hath  more  rest  than  the  other.  Yea,  though 
he  live  a  thousand  years  twice  told,  yet  hath  he 
seen  no  good.  Do  not  all  go  to  one  place  .^  All 
the  labour  of  man  is  for  his  mouth,  and  yet  the 
appetite  is  not  filled.  For  what  hath  the  wise 
more  than  the  fool.^  What  hath  the  poor,  that 
knoweth  to  walk  before  the  living.'*  Labour  not 
to  be  rich;  cease  from  thine  own  wisdom. 

Wilt  thou  set  thine  eyes  upon  that  which  is 
not?     For  riches  certainly  make  themselves  wings; 
60 


Riches   and   Poverty  6i 

they  fly  away  as  an  eagle  toward  heaven.  There 
is  that  maketh  himself  rich,  yet  hath  nothing; 
there  is  that  maketh  himself  poor,  yet  hath  great 
riches. 

The  ransom  of  a  man's  life  are  his  riches;  but 
the  poor  heareth  not  rebuke.  The  poor  is  hated 
even  of  his  own  neighbour;  but  the  rich  hath 
many  friends.  Wealth  maketh  many  friends; 
but  the  poor  is  separated  from  his  neighbour. 
All  the  brethren  of  the  poor  do  hate  him;  how 
much  more  do  his  friends  go  far  from  him.^  He 
pursueth  them  with  words,  yet  they  are  wanting 
to  him.  The  poor  useth  intreaties;  but  the  rich 
answereth  roughly. 

Whoso  mocketh  the  poor  reproacheth  his  Mak- 
er; and  he  that  is  glad  at  calamities  shall  not  be 
unpunished.  He  that  oppresseth  the  poor  to 
increase  his  riches,  and  he  that  giveth  to  the  rich, 
shall  surely  come  to  want.  Whoso  stoppeth  his 
ears  at  the  cry  of  the  poor,  he  also  shall  cry  him- 
self, but  shall  not  be  heard.  He  that  giveth  unto 
the  poor  shall  not  lack;  but  he  that  hideth  his 
eyes  shall  have  many  a  curse. 

The  rich  man  is  wise  in  his  own  conceit;  but  the 
poor  that  hath  understanding  searcheth  him  out. 
Better  is  the  poor  that  walketh  in  his  uprightness, 
than  he  that  is  perverse  in  his  ways,  though  he  is 
rich.  The  rich  man's  wealth  is  his  strong  city, 
and  as  an  high  wall  in  his  own  conceit.     He  that 


62       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

trusteth  in  his  riches  shall  fall;  but  the  righteous 
shall  flourish  as  a  branch.  The  rich  man's  wealth 
is  his  strong  city;  the  destruction  of  the  poor  is 
their  poverty. 

The  labour  of  the  righteous  tendeth  to  life; 
the  fruit  of  the  wicked  to  sin.  A  faithful  man 
shall  abound  with  blessings;  but  he  that  maketh 
haste  to  be  rich  shall  not  be  innocent.  Evil  pur- 
sueth  sinners;  but  to  the  righteous  good  shall  be 
repayed.  A  good  man  leaveth  an  inheritance  to 
his  children's  children;  and  the  wealth  of  the 
sinner  is  laid  up  for  the  just. 

Two  things  have  I  required  of  thee;  deny  me 
them  not  before  I  die:  remove  far  from  me  vanity 
and  lies;  give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches;  feed 
me  with  food  convenient  for  me,  lest  I  be  full, 
and  say,  "Who  is  the  Lord.'"'  or  lest  I  be  poor, 
and  steal,  and  take  the  name  of  my  God  in  vain. 
Better  is  a  little  with  righteousness  than  great 
revenues  without  right.  Better  is  an  handful 
with  quietness,  than  both  the  hands  full  with 
travail  and  vexation  of  spirit.  Riches  profit  not 
in  the  day  of  wrath;  but  righteousness  delivereth 
from  death. 

The  rich  and  poor  meet  together:  the  Lord  is 
the  maker  of  them  all. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

don't  be  a  hog 

TP  HE  horseleach  hath  two  daughters,  crying, 
-*•  "Give,  give,"  There  are  three  things  that 
are  never  satisfied,  yea,  four  things  say  not, 
"It  is  enough":  The  grave;  and  the  barren  womb; 
the  earth  that  is  not  filled  with  water;  and  the 
fire  that  saith  not.  It  is  enough. 

He  that  loveth  silver  shall  not  be  satisfied  with 
silver;  nor  he  that  loveth  abundance  with  in- 
crease. This  is  also  vanity.  When  goods  in- 
crease, they  are  increased  that  eat  them;  and 
what  good  is  there  to  the  owners  thereof,  saving 
the  beholding  of  them  with  their  eyes.^  The 
sleep  of  a  labouring  man  is  sweet,  whether  he  eat 
little  or  much;  but  the  abundance  of  the  rich  will 
not  suffer  him  to  sleep. 

There  is  a  sore  trial  which  I  have  seen  under 
the  sun,  namely,  riches  kept  for  the  owners  there- 
of to  their  hurt.  But  those  riches  perish  by  evil 
travail;  and  he  begetteth  a  son,  and  there  is  noth- 
ing in  his  hand.  As  he  came  forth  of  his  mother's 
womb,  naked  shall  he  return  to  go  as  he  came,  and 
shall  take  nothing  of  his  labour,  which  he  may 
carry  away  in  his  hand.  And  this  also  is  a  sore 
evil,  that  in  all  points  as  he  came,  so  shall  he  go; 
and  what  profit  hath  he  that  hath  laboured  for 
the  wind.''     All  his  days  also  he  eateth  in  dark- 

63 


64       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


ness,  and  he  hath  much  sorrow  and  wrath  with 
his  sickness. 

The  getting  of  treasures  by  a  lying  tongue  is  a 
vanity  tossed  to  and  fro  of  them  that  seek  death. 
The  robbery  of  the  wicked  shall  destroy  them, 
because  they  refuse  to  do  judgment.  Hast  thou 
found  honey i*  Eat  so  much  as  is  sufficient  for 
thee,  lest  thou  be  filled  therewith,  and  vomit  it. 
He  that  hasteth  to  be  rich  hath  an  evil  eye,  and 
considereth  not  that  poverty  shall  come  upon 
him.  He  coveteth  greedily  all  the  day  long;  but 
the  righteous  giveth  and  spareth  not.  He  that 
by  usury  and  unjust  gain  increaseth  his  substance, 
he  shall  gather  it  for  him  that  will  pity  the  poor. 
An  inheritance  may  be  gotten  hastily  at  the  be- 
ginning; but  the  end  thereof  shall  not  be  blessed. 

Then  I  returned,  and  I  saw  vanity  under  the 
sun.  There  is  one  alone,  and  there  is  not  a  second; 
yea,  he  hath  neither  child  nor  brother;  yet  there 
is  no  end  of  all  his  labour;  neither  is  his  eye  satis- 
fied with  riches;  neither  saith  he,  "For  whom  do 
I  labour,  and  bereave  my  soul  of  good.^"  This 
is  also  vanity,  yea,  it  is  a  sore  travail. 


CHAPTER  XX 

don't  be  a  fool 

A  S  snow  in  summer,  and  as  rain  in  harvest,  so 
'^*-  honour  is  not  seemly  for  a  fool.     As  the  bird 
by  wandering,  as  the  swallow  by  flying,  so 
the  curse  causeless  shall  not  come. 

A  whip  for  the  horse,  a  bridle  for  the  ass,  and  a 
rod  for  the  fool's  back.  Answer  not  a  fool  ac- 
cording to  his  folly,  lest  thou  also  be  like  unto 
him.  Answer  a  fool  according  to  his  folly,  lest 
he  be  wise  in  his  own  conceit. 

He  that  sendeth  a  message  by  the  hand  of  a 
fool,  cutteth  off  the  feet,  and  drinketh  damage. 
The  legs  of  the  lame  are  not  equal;  so  is  a  parable 
in  the  mouth  of  fools.  As  he  that  bindeth  a 
stone  in  a  sling,  so  is  he  that  giveth  honour  to  a 
fool.  As  a  thorn  goeth  up  into  the  hand  of  a 
drunkard,  so  is  a  parable  in  the  mouth  of  fools. 

The  great  God  that  formed  all  things  hath  re- 
warded the  fool,  and  rewardeth  transgressors. 
As  a  dog  returneth  to  his  vomit,  so  a  fool  re- 
turneth  to  his  folly.  Seest  thou  a  man  wise  in 
his  own  conceit.'' — there  is  more  hope  of  a  fool 
than  of  him.  The  crown  of  the  wise  is  their 
riches;  but  the  foolishness  of  fools  is  folly.  The 
wise  in  heart  will  receive  commandments;  but  a 

65 


66       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

prating  fool  shall  fall.  He  that  walketh  up- 
rightly walketh  surely;  but  he  that  perverteth 
his  ways  shall  be  known.  He  that  winketh  with 
the  eye  causeth  sorrow;  but  a  prating  fool  shall 
fall. 

A  reproof  entereth  more  into  a  wise  man  than 
an  hundred  stripes  into  a  fool.  A  wise  man 
feareth,  and  departeth  from  evil;  but  the  fool 
rageth,  and  is  confident.  Wisdom  resteth  in  the 
heart  of  him  that  hath  understanding;  but  that 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  fools  is  made  known. 
Speak  not  in  the  ears  of  a  fool,  for  he  shall  despise 
the  wisdom  of  thy  words. 

A  fool's  lips  enter  into  contention,  and  his 
mouth  calleth  for  strokes.  A  fool's  mouth  is  his 
destruction,  and  his  lips  are  the  snare  of  his  soul. 
If  a  wise  man  contendeth  with  a  foolish  man, 
whether  he  rage  or  laugh,  there  is  no  rest.  The 
way  of  a  fool  is  right  in  his  own  eyes;  but  he  that 
hearkeneth  unto  counsel  is  wise.  A  fool's  wrath 
is  presently  known;  but  a  prudent  man  covereth 
shame.  He  that  trusteth  in  his  own  heart  is  a 
fool;  but  whoso  walketh  wisely,  he  shall  be  de- 
livered. 

The  fool  foldeth  his  hands  together,  and  eateth 
his  own  flesh.  A  fool  uttereth  all  his  mind;  but 
a  wise  man  keepeth  it  in  till  afterwards.  A  prudent 
man  concealeth  knowledge;  but  the  heart  of  fools 
proclaimeth    foolishness.     Wherefore   is    there    a 


Dont  be  a  Fool  67 


price  in  the  hand  of  a  fool  to  get  wisdom,  seeing 
he  hath  no  heart  to  it?  The  wisdom  of  the  pru- 
dent is  to  understand  his  way;  but  the  folly  of 
fools  is  deceit.  Fools  make  a  mock  at  sin;  but 
among  the  righteous  there  is  favour. 

A  stone  is  heavy,  and  the  sand  weighty;  but  a 
fool's  wrath  is  heavier  than  them  both.  Let  a 
bear  robbed  of  her  whelps  meet  a  man,  rather 
than  a  fool  in  his  folly.  Though  thou  shouldst 
bray  a  fool  in  a  mortar  among  wheat  with  a  pestle, 
yet  will  not  his  foolishness  depart  from  him.  The 
labour  of  the  foolish  wearieth  every  one  of  them, 
because  he  knoweth  not  how  to  go  to  the  city. 
Wisdom  is  before  him  that  hath  understanding; 
but  the  eyes  of  a  fool  are  in  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
He  that  begetteth  a  fool  doeth  it  to  his  sorrow; 
and  the  father  of  a  fool  hath  no  joy. 

A  wise  man's  heart  is  at  his  right  hand;  but  a 
fool's  heart  at  his  left.  Yea,  also,  when  he  that  is 
a  fool  walketh  by  the  way,  his  wisdom  faileth 
him,  and  he  saith  to  every  one  that  he  is  a  fool. 
Dead  flies  cause  the  ointment  of  the  apothecary 
to  send  forth  a  stinking  savour;  so  doeth  a  little 
folly  him  that  is  in  reputation  for  wisdom  and 
honour. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

don't  be  a  drunkard 

npHE  words  of  king  Lemuel,  the  prophecy 
"*■  that  his  mother  taught  him.  What,  my 
son?  And  what,  the  son  of  my  womb? 
And  what,  the  son  of  my  vows?  Give  not  thy 
strength  unto  women,  nor  thy  ways  to  that 
which  destroyeth  kings.  It  is  not  for  kings,  O 
Lemuel,  it  is  not  for  kings  to  drink  wine;  nor  for 
princes  strong  drink:  lest  they  drink,  and  forget 
the  law,  and  pervert  the  judgment  of  any  of  the 
afflicted.  When  thou  sittest  to  eat  with  a  ruler, 
consider  diligently  what  is  before  thee.  A  man 
given  to  appetite  is  as  one  who  putteth  a  knife  to 
his  throat.  Be  not  desirous  of  his  dainties;  for 
they  are  deceitful  meat.  He  that  loveth  pleasure 
shall  be  a  poor  man;  he  that  loveth  wine  and  oil 
shall  not  be  rich. 

Who  hath  woe?  who  hath  sorrow?  who  hath 
contentions?  who  hath  babbling?  who  hath 
wounds  without  cause?  who  hath  redness  of  eyes? 
They  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine;  they  that  go  to 
seek  mixed  wine.  Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine 
when  it  is  red,  when  it  giveth  his  colour  in  the 
cup,  when  it  moveth  itself  aright.  At  the  last 
itbiteth  like  a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like  an  adder. 
Thine  eyes  shall  behold  strange  women,  and  thine 
heart  shall  utter  perverse  things.  Yea,  thou 
68 


Don't  be  a  Drunkard  69 


shalt  be  as  he  that  lieth  down  in  the  midst  of  the 
sea,  or  as  he  that  lieth  upon  the  top  of  a  mast. 
"They  have  stricken  me,"  shalt  thou  say,  and 
I  was  not  sick;  "they  have  beaten  me,"  and  I 
felt  it  not.  When  shall  I  awake?  I  will  seek  it 
yet  again. 

There  is  a  way  which  seemeth  right  unto  a 
man,  but  the  end  thereof  are  the  ways  of  death. 
Even  in  laughter  the  heart  is  sorrowful;  and  the 
end  of  that  mirth  is  heaviness.  Be  not  a  religious 
fanatic;  neither  let  learning  make  thee  mad. 
Why  shouldest  thou  destroy  thyself.^  Be  not 
over  much  wicked,  neither  be  thou  foolish;  why 
shouldest  thou  die  before  thy  time:  In  short, 
be  temperate  in  all  things. 

Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging,  and 
whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

don't  be  a  liar 

A  false  witness  shall  not  be  unpu  nished,  and 
*^  he  that  speaketh  lies  shall  perish.  A  false 
witness  shall  perish;  but  the  man  that  hear- 
eth  speaketh  constantly.  A  lying  tongue  hateth 
those  that  are  afflicted  by  it;  and  a  flattering 
mouth  worketh  ruin.  Lying  lips  are  abomina- 
tion to  the  Lord;  but  they  that  deal  truly  are  his 
delight.  The  desire  of  a  man  is  his  kindness; 
and  a  poor  man  is  better  than  a  liar.  A  wicked 
doer  giveth  heed  to  false  lips,  but  a  liar  giveth 
ear  to  a  naughty  tongue.  A  false  witness  shall 
not  be  unpunished,  and  he  that  speaketh  lies 
shall  not  escape.  A  faithful  witness  will  not  lie; 
but  a  false  witness  will  utter  lies.  Every  man 
shall  kiss  his  lips  that  giveth  a  right  answer. 


70 


CHAPTER  XXIII 
don't 

'  I  'HERE  be  three  things  which  are  too  wonder- 
■''  ful  for  me,  yea,  four  which  I  know  not: — 
the  way  of  an  eagle  in  the  air;  the  way  of  a 
serpent  upon  a  rock;  the  way  of  a  ship  in  the 
midst  of  the  sea;  and  the  way  of  a  man  with  a 
maid. 

The  lips  of  a  strange  woman  drop  as  an  honey- 
comb, and  her  mouth  is  smoother  than  oil;  but 
her  end  is  bitter  as  wormwood,  sharp  as  two- 
edged  sword.  Her  feet  go  down  to  death;  her 
steps  take  hold  on  hell.  Lest  thou  shouldst  pon- 
der the  path  of  life,  her  ways  are  moveable,  that 
thou  canst  not  know  them.  Hear  me  now  there- 
fore, O  ye  children,  and  depart  not  from  the 
words  of  my  mouth.  Remove  thy  way  far  from 
her,  and  come  not  nigh  the  door  of  her  house;  lest 
thou  give  thine  honour  unto  others,  and  thy 
years  unto  the  cruel;  lest  strangers  be  filled  with 
thy  wealth;  and  thy  labours  be  in  the  house  of  a 
stranger;  and  thou  mourn  at  the  last,  when  thy 
flesh  and  thy  body  are  consumed,  and  say,  "How 
have  I  hated  instruction,  and  my  heart  despised 
reproof;  and  I  have  not  obeyed  the  voice  of  my 
teachers,  nor  inclined  mine  ear  to  them  that  in- 
structed me!  I  was  almost  in  all  evil  in  the 
midst  of  the  congregation  and  assembly. " 

71 


72       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

Can  a  man  take  fire  in  his  bosom,  and  his 
clothes  not  be  burned?  Can  one  go  upon  hot 
coals,  and  his  feet  not  be  burned?  So  is  he  that 
goeth  to  his  neighbour's  wife;  whosoever  toucheth 
her  shall  not  be  innocent.  Men  do  not  despise  a 
thief,  if  he  steal  to  satisfy  his  soul  when  he  is 
hungry;  but  if  he  be  found,  he  shall  restore  seven- 
fold; he  shall  give  all  the  substance  of  his  house. 
But  whoso  committeth  adultery  with  a  woman 
lacketh  understanding;  he  that  doeth  it  destroy- 
eth  his  own  soul.  A  wound  and  dishonour  shall 
he  get;  and  his  reproach  shall  not  be  wiped  away. 
For  jealousy  is  the  rage  of  a  man;  therefore  he  will 
not  spare  in  the  day  of  vengeance.  He  will  not 
regard  any  ransom;  neither  will  he  rest  content, 
though  thou  givest  many  gifts.  The  mouth  of  a 
strange  woman  is  a  deep  pit;  he  that  is  abhorred 
of  the  Lord  shall  fall  therein. 

All  this  have  I  proved  by  wisdom:  "I  said,  I 
will  be  wise;"  but  it  was  far  from  me.  That 
which  is  far  off,  and  exceeding  deep,  who  can  find 
it  out.  I  applied  mine  heart  to  know,  and  to 
search,  and  to  seek  out  wisdom,  and  the  reason 
of  things,  and  to  know  the  wickedness  of  folly, 
even  of  foolishness  and  madness.  I  find  more 
bitter  than  death  the  woman,  whose  heart  is 
snares  and  nets,  and  her  hands  as  bands.  Whoso 
pleaseth  God  shall  escape  from  her;  but  the  sinner 
shall  be  taken  by  her. 


Don't  73 

My  son,  give  me  thine  heart,  and  let  thine 
eyes  observe  my  ways.  For  a  whore  is  a  deep 
ditch;  and  a  strange  woman  is  a  narrow  pit. 
She  also  lieth  in  wait  as  for  a  prey,  and  increaseth 
the  transgressors  among  men. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

LET    US    GO    TO    CHURCH 

T^EEP  thy  foot  when  thou  goest  to  the  house 
■*-^  of  God,  and  be  more  ready  to  hear,  than  to 
give  the  sacrifice  of  fools;  for  they  consider 
not  that  they  do  evil.  Be  not  rash  with  thy 
mouth,  and  let  not  thine  heart  be  hasty  to  utter 
any  thing  before  God.  For  God  is  in  heaven, 
and  thou  upon  earth,  therefore  let  thy  words  be 
few.  For  a  dream  cometh  through  the  multitude 
of  business;  and  a  fool's  voice  is  known  by  multi- 
tude of  words. 

When  thou  vowest  a  vow  unto  God,  defer  not 
to  pay  it;  for  he  hath  no  pleasure  in  fools.  Pay 
that  which  thou  hast  vowed.  Better  is  it  that 
thou  shouldest  not  vow,  than  that  thou  shouldest 
vow  and  not  pay.  Suffer  not  thy  mouth  to 
cause  thy  flesh  to  sin;  neither  say  thou  before  the 
angel,  that  it  was  an  angel.  Wherefore  should 
God  be  angry  at  thy  voice,  and  destroy  the  work 
of  thine  hands.''  For  in  the  multitude  of  dreams 
and  many  words  there  are  also  divers  vanities; 
but  fear  thou  God. 

Thorns  and  snares  are  in  the  way  of  the  fro- 
ward;  he  that  keepeth  his  soul  shall  be  far  from 
them.  For  man  also  knoweth  not  his  time.  As 
the  fishes  that  are  taken  in  an  evil  net,  and  as  the 
birds  that  are  caught  in  the  snare,  so  are  the  sons 

74 


Let  Us  Go  to  Church  75 

of  men  snared  in  an  evil  time,  when  it  falleth 
suddenly  upon  them.  The  desire  accompHshed 
is  sweet  to  the  soul;  but  it  is  abomination  to  fools 
to  depart  from  evil.  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are 
in  every  place,  beholding  the  evil  and  the  good. 

Consider  the  work  of  God;  for  who  can  make 
that  straight,  which  he  hath  made  crooked.^  He 
that  walketh  in  his  uprightness  feareth  the  Lord; 
but  he  that  is  perverse  in  his  ways  despiseth  him. 
The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower;  the  right- 
eous runneth  into  it,  and  is  safe;  The  fear  of  the 
Lord  is  a  fountain  of  life,  to  depart  from  the 
snares  of  death.  Surely  he  scorneth  the  scorners; 
but  he  giveth  grace  unto  the  lowly. 

*The  Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion  more  than 
all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob.  Glorious  things  are 
spoken  of  thefe,  O  city  of  God.  And  of  Zion  it 
shall  be  said:  "This  and  that  man  was  born  in 
her;  and  the  Highest  Himself  shall  establish  her. 
The  Lord  shall  count  when  He  writeth  up  the 
people  that  this  man  was  born  there;  as  well  the 
singers  as  the  players  on  instruments  shall  be 
there.     All  my  springs  are  in  thee. 

I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  "Let  us 
go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord,"  whither  the 
people  go  up,  the  people  of  the  Lord,  unto  the 
testimony  of  Israel,  to  give  thanks  unto  the  name 
of  the  Lord.  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem; 
they  shall  prosper  that  love  thee.  Peace  be  with- 
in thy  walls  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces. 

*Quotations  from  the  Psalms. 


76       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

For  my  brethren  and  companion's  sake  I  will  now 
say,  "Peace  be  within  thee."  Because  of  the 
house  of  the  Lord  I  will  seek  thy  good. 

One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will 
I  seek  after:  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the  beauty 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  enquire  in  his  temple. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE    WORDS    OF   MY   MOUTH 

npHE  preparations  of  the  heart  in  man,  and  the 
■*■  answer  of  the  tongue,  is  from  the  Lord. 
He  that  speaketh  truth  sheweth  forth  right- 
eousness; but  a  false  witness  deceit.  There  is 
that  speaketh  Hke  the  piercings  of  a  sword;  but 
the  tongue  of  the  wise  is  health.  The  lip  of  truth 
shall  be  established  for  ever;  but  a  lying  tonguea 
is  but  for  a  moment.  Deceit  is  in  the  heart  of 
them  that  imagine  evil;  but  to  the  counsellors  of 
peace  is  joy. 

He  is  in  the  way  of  life  that  keepeth  instruc- 
tion; but  he  that  refuseth  reproof  erreth.  He 
that  hideth  hatred  with  lying  lips,  and  he  that 
uttereth  a  slander,  is  a  fool.  In  the  multitude 
of  words  there  wanteth  not  sin;  but  he  that 
refraineth  his  lips  is  wise.  The  tongue  of  the 
just  is  as  choice  silver;  the  heart  of  the  wicked  is 
little  worth.  The  lips  of  the  righteous  feed 
many;  but  fools  die  for  want  of  wisdom. 

A  man's  belly  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  fruit 
of  his  mouth;  and  with  the  Increase  of  his  lips 
shall  he  be  filled.  Death  and  life  are  in  the  power 
of  the  tongue;  and  they  that  love  it  shall  eat  the 
fruit  thereof.  The  mouth  of  a  righteous  man  is 
a  well  of  life;  but  violence  covereth  the  mouth  of 


78       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

the  wicked.     Hatred  stirreth  up  strifes;  but  love 
covereth  all  sins. 

In  the  lips  of  him  that  hath  understanding, 
wisdom  is  found;  but  a  rod  is  for  the  back  of  him 
that  is  void  of  understanding.  Wise  men  lay 
up  knowledge;  but  the  mouth  of  the  foolish  is 
near  destruction.  Surely  the  serpent  will  bite 
without  enchantment;  and  a  babbler  is  no  better. 
The  words  of  a  wise  man's  mouth  are  gracious; 
but  the  lips  of  a  fool  will  swallow  up  himself. 
The  beginning  of  the  words  of  his  mouth  is  fool- 
ishness; and  the  end  of  his  talk  is  mischievous 
madness.  A  fool  also  is  full  of  words.  A  man 
cannot  tell  what  shall  be;  and  what  shall  be  after 
him,  who  can  tell  him .'' 

He  that  hath  a  f reward  heart  findeth  no  good; 
and  he  that  hath  a  perverse  tongue  falleth  into 
mischief.  A  true  witness  delivereth  souls;  but  a 
deceitful  witness  speaketh  lies.  The  lips  of  the 
wise  disperse  knowledge;  but  the  heart  of  the 
foolish  doeth  not  so.  The  mouth  of  the  just 
bringeth  forth  wisdom;  but  the  froward  tongue 
shall  be  cut  out.  The  lips  of  the  righteous  know 
what  is  acceptable;  but  the  mouth  of  the  wicked 
speaketh  f rowardness.  The  heart  of  the  righteou  s 
studieth  to  answer;  but  the  mouth  of  the  wicked 
poureth  out  evil  things.  The  tongue  of  the  wise 
useth  knowledge  aright;  but  the  mouth  of  fools 
poureth  out  foolishness.  A  wholesome  tongue  is 
a  tree  of  life;  but  perverseness  therein  is  a  breach 


The  Words  of  My  Mouth  79 

in  the  spirit.  In  the  mouth  of  the  foolish  is  a 
rod  of  pride;  but  the  lips  of  the  wise  shall  pre- 
serve them.  A  man  shall  be  satisfied  with  good 
by  the  fruit  of  his  mouth;  and  the  recompence  of 
a  man's  hands  shall  be  rendered  unto  him. 

He  that  covereth  a  transgression  seeketh  love; 
but  he  that  repeated  a  matter  separateth  very 
friends.  Seest  thou  a  man  that  is  hasty  in  his 
words.''  there  is  more  hope  of  a  fool  than  of  him. 
An  ungodly  man  diggeth  up  evil;  and  in  his  lips 
there  is  as  a  burning  fire.  A  froward  man  soweth 
strife;  and  a  whisperer  separateth  chief  friends. 
The  words  of  the  wicked  are  to  lie  in  wait  for 
blood;  but  the  mouth  of  the  upright  shall  deliver 
them.  A  man  shall  eat  good  by  the  fruit  of  his 
mouth:  but  the  soul  of  the  transgressors  shall  eat 
violence.  He  that  keepeth  his  mouth  keepeth 
his  life;  but  he  that  openeth  wide  his  lips  shall  have 
destruction. 

Righteous  lips  are  the  delight  of  kings;  and 
they  love  him  that  speaketh  right.  Better  is  the 
poor  that  walketh  in  his  integrity,  than  he  that 
is  perverse  in  his  lips,  and  is  a  fool.  The  words 
of  a  man's  mouth  are  as  deep  waters,  and  the 
wellspring  of  wisdom  as  a  flowing  brook.  A  man 
hath  joy  by  the  answer  of  his  mouth;  and  a  word 
spoken  in  due  season — how  good  is  it!  By  long 
forbearing  is  a  prince  persuaded,  and  a  soft  tongue 
breaketh  the  bone. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

THE    MEDITATIONS    OF   MY    HEART 

'  I  'HE  hearing  ear,  and  the  seeing  eye,  the  Lord 
■^  hath  made  even  both  of  them.  The  fining 
pot  is  for  silver,  and  the  furnace  for  gold; 
but  the  Lord  trieth  the  hearts.  He  that  loveth 
pureness  of  heart,  for  the  grace  of  his  lips,  the 
king  shall  be  his  friend.  The  thoughts  of  the 
righteous  are  right;  but  the  counsels  of  the  wicked 
are  deceit.  The  full  soul  loatheth  an  honeycomb; 
but  to  the  hungry  soul  every  bitter  thing  is  sweet. 

The  spirit  of  man  is  the  candle  of  the  Lord, 
searching  all  the  inward  parts  of  the  heart.  All 
the  ways  of  a  man  are  clean  in  his  own  eyes;  but 
the  Lord  weigheth  the  spirits.  Commit  thy 
works  unto  the  Lord,  and  thy  thoughts  shall  be 
established. 

He  that  hateth  dissembleth  with  his  lips,  and 
layeth  up  deceit  within  him.  When  he  speaketh 
fair,  believe  him  not,  for  there  are  seven  abomina- 
tions in  his  heart.  Whose  hatred  is  covered  by 
deceit,  his  wickedness  shall  be  shewed  before  the 
whole  congregation. 

If  thou  hast  done  foolishly  in  lifting  up  thy- 
self, or  if  thou  hast  thought  evil,  lay  thine  hand 
upon  thy  mouth.     The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is 
80 


The  Meditations  of  My  Heart  8i 

abomination;  how  much  more,  when  he  bringeth 
it  with  a  wicked  mind?  The  thoughts  of  the 
wicked  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord;  but  the 
words  of  the  pure  are  pleasant  words. 

Hell  and  destruction  are  before  the  Lord;  how 
much  more  then  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
men?  He  that  deviseth  to  do  evil  shall  be  called 
a  mischievous  person.  The  thought  of  foolish- 
ness is  sin;  and  the  scorner  is  an  abomination  to 
men.  Curse  not  the  king,  no  not  in  thy  thought; 
and  curse  not  the  rich  in  thy  bed  chamber;  for  a 
bird  of  the  air  shall  carry  the  voice,  and  that 
which  hath  wings  shall  tell  the  matter.  There 
are  many  devices  in  a  man's  heart;  nevertheless 
the  counsel  of  the  Lord,  that  shall  stand. 

Who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart  pure  from 


my  sm 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

WHO    IS    MY    NEIGHBOR? 

/^INTMENT  and  perfume  rejoice  the  heart, 
^^  so  does  the  sweetness  of  a  man's  friend  by 
hearty  counsel.  Thine  own  friend,  and  thy 
father's  friend,  forsake  not;  neither  go  into  thy 
brother's  house  in  the  day  of  thy  calamity.  For 
better  is  a  neighbour  that  is  near  than  a  brother 
far  off.  As  in  water  face  answereth  to  face,  so 
the  heart  of  man  to  man.  Withdraw  thy  foot 
from  thy  neighbour's  house,  lest  he  be  weary  of 
thee,  and  so  hate  thee.  A  man  that  beareth 
false  witness  against  his  neighbour  is  a  maul,  and 
a  sword,  and  a  sharp  arrow. 

Withhold  not  good  from  them  to  whom  it  is 
due,  when  it  is  in  the  power  of  thine  hand  to  do  it. 
Say  not  unto  thy  neighbour,  "I  go  and  come 
again,  and  tomorrow  I  will  give,"  when  thou 
hast  it  by  thee.  Devise  not  evil  against  thy 
neighbour,  seeing  he  dwelleth  securely  by  thee. 

Go  not  forth  hastily  to  strive,  lest  thou  know 
not  what  to  do  in  the  end  thereof,  when  thy  neigh- 
bbur  hath  put  thee  to  shame.  Debate  thy  cause 
with  thy  neighbour  himself;  and  discover  not  a 
secret  to  another,  lest  he  that  heareth  it  put  thee 
to  shame,  and  thine  infamy  turn  not  away.  A 
brother)  offended  is  harder  to  be  won  than  a  strong 
82 


Who  is  My  Neighbor?  83 

city;  and  their  contentions  are  like  the  bars  of  a 
castle. 

He  that  despiseth  his  neighbour  sinneth;  but 
he  that  hath  mercy  on  the  poor,  happy  is  he. 
Do  they  not  err  that  devise  evil?  but  mercy  and 
truth  shall  be  to  them  that  devise  good.  Whoso 
rewardeth  evil  for  good,  evil  shall  not  depart 
from  his  house.  The  beginning  of  strife  is  as 
when  one  letteth  out  water;  therefore  leave  off 
contention,  before  it  be  meddled  with.  He  that 
is  void  of  wisdom  despiseth  his  neighbour;  but 
a  man  of  understanding  holdeth  his  peace. 

A  talebearer  revealeth  secrets;  but  he  that  is 
of  a  faithful  spirit  concealeth  the  matter.  An 
hypocrite  with  his  mouth  destroyeth  his  neigh- 
bour; but  through  knowledge  shall  the  just  be 
delivered.  A  violent  man  enticeth  his  neigh- 
bour, and  leadeth  him  into  the  way  that  is  not 
good.  He  shutteth  his  eyes  to  devise  froward 
things;  moving  his  lips  he  bringeth  evil  to  pass. 
He  loveth  transgression  that  loveth  strife;  and 
he  that  exalteth  his  gate  seeketh  destruction. 

He  that  blesseth  his  friend  with  a  loud  voice, 
rising  early  In  the  morning,  it  shall  be  counted  a 
curse  to  him.  A  man  that  flattereth  his  neigh- 
bour spreadeth  a  net  for  his  feet.  Be  not  a 
witness  against  thy  neighbour  without  cause; 
and  deceive  not  with  thy  lips.  The  soul  of  the 
wicked  deslreth  evil;  his  neighbour  findeth  no 
favour  In  his  eyes. 


84       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

Again,  I  considered  all  travail,  and  every  right 
work,  that  for  this  a  man  is  envied  of  his  neigh- 
bour. This  is  also  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit. 
Iron  sharpeneth  iron;  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the 
countenance  of  his  friend.  A  man  that  hath 
friends  must  shew  himself  friendly;  and  there  is  a 
friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII      . 

SLOW    TO    SPEAK    AND    SLOW    TO    WRATH 

A  soft  answer  turneth  away  wrath;  but  grievous 
*^  words  stir  up  anger.  Surely  the  churning  of 
milk  bringeth  forth  butter,  and  the  wringing 
of  the  nose  bringeth  forth  blood;  so  the  forcing  of 
wrath  bringeth  forth  strife.  An  angry  man 
stirreth  up  strife,  and  a  furious  man  aboundeth 
in  transgression.  A  wrathful  man  stirreth  up 
strife;  but  he  that  is  slow  to  anger  appeaseth 
strife.  The  discretion  of  a  man  deferreth  his 
anger;  and  it  is  his  glory  to  pass  over  a  trans- 
gression. Make  no  friendship  with  an  angry 
man;  and  with  a  furious  man  thou  shalt  not  go, 
lest  thou  learn  his  ways,  and  get  a  snare  to  thy 
soul. 

Be  not  hasty  in  thy  spirit  to  be  angry,  for 
anger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  fools.  He  that  is 
slow  to  wrath  is  of  great  understanding;  but  he 
that  is  hasty  of  spirit  exalteth  folly.  He  that 
soweth  iniquity  shall  reap  vanity,  and  the  rod  of 
his  anger  shall  fail.  A  man  of  great  wrath  shall 
suffer  punishment;  for  if  thou  deliver  him,  yet 
thou  must  do  it  again.  He  that  is  soon  angry 
dealeth  foolishly;  and  a  man  of  wicked  devices  is 
hated.  Proud  and  haughty  scorner  is  his  name, 
who  dealeth  in  proud  wrath. 

He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the 
mighty;  and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he  that 
taketh  a  city.  Pleasant  words  are  as  an  honey- 
comb, sweet  to  the  soul,  and  health  to  the  bones. 

85 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

MIND   YOUR   OWN    BUSINESS 

'  I  'HROUGH  desire  a  man,  having  separated 
■■■  himself,  seeketh  and  intermeddleth  with  all 
wisdom.  A  fool  hath  no  delight  in  under- 
standing, but  that  his  heart  may  discover  itself. 
When  the  wicked  cometh,  then  cometh  also  con- 
tempt, and  with  ignominy  reproach.  He  that 
passeth  by,  and  meddleth  with  strife  belonging 
not  to  him,  is  like  one  that  taketh  a  dog  by  the 
ears.  As  a  mad  man  who  casteth  firebrands, 
arrows,  and  death,  so  is  the  man  that  deceiveth 
his  neighbour,  and  saith, — "Am  I  not  in  sport?" 

Where  no  wood  is,  there  the  fire  goeth  out;  so 
where  there  is  no  talebearer,  the  strife  ceaseth. 
As  coals  are  to  burning  coals,  and  wood  to  fire; 
so  is  a  contentious  man  to  kindle  strife.  The 
words  of  a  talebearer  are  as  wounds,  and  they  go 
down  into  the  innermost  parts  of  the  heart. 
Burning  lips  and  a  wicked  heart  are  like  a  pot- 
sherd covered  with  silver  dross. 

Even  a  fool,  when  he  holdeth  his  peace,  is 
counted  wise;  and  he  that  shutteth  his  lips  is 
esteemed  a  man  of  understanding.  He  that 
goeth  about  as  a  talebearer  revealeth  secrets; 
therefore  meddle  not  with  him  that  flattereth 
with  his  lips.  It  is  an  honour  for  a  man  to  cease 
from  strife;  but  every  fool  will  be  meddling.  The 
86 


Mind  Your  Ozvn  Business  87 


north  wind  driveth  away  rain;  so  doth  an  angry 
countenance  a  backbiting  tongue.  The  words  of 
a  talebearer  are  indeed  as  wounds,  and  they  go 
down  even  into  the  innermost  parts  of  the  heart. 
He  that  answereth  a  matter  before  he  heareth 
it,  it  is  folly  and  shame  unto  him,  but  whoso 
keepeth  his  mouth  and  his  tongue  keepeth  his 
soul  from  troubles. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

KINGS    AND    THOSE    IN    AUTHORITY 

*  I  *HE  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
"*■  as  the  rivers  of  water;  he  turneth  it  whither- 
soever he  will.  Every  way  of  a  man  is 
right  in  his  own  eyes;  but  the  Lord  pondereth 
the  hearts.  To  do  justice  and  judgment  is  more 
acceptable  to  the  Lord  than  sacrifice.  An  high 
look,  and  a  proud  heart,  and  the  plowing  of  the 
wicked,  is  sin. 

I  counsel  thee  to  keep  the  king's  command- 
ment, and  that  in  regard  of  the  oath  of  God.  Be 
not  hasty  to  go  out  of  his  sight;  stand  not  in  an 
evil  thing  for  he  doeth  whatsoever  pleaseth  him. 
Where  the  word  of  a  king  is,  there  is  power;  and 
who  may  say  unto  him:  "What  doest  thou.^" 
Whoso  keepeth  the  commandment  shall  feel  no 
evil  thing;  and  a  wise  man's  heart  discerneth 
both  time  and  judgment. 

There  be  three  things  which  go  well,  yea,  four 
are  comely  in  going:  a  lion  which  is  strongest 
among  beasts,  and  turneth  not  away  for  any;  a 
greyhound;  and  an  he  goat  also;  and  a  king, 
against  whom  there  is  no  rising  up.  It  is  the 
glory  of  God  to  conceal  a  thing;  but  the  honour 
of  kings  is  to  search  out  a  matter.  The  heaven 
for  height,  and  the  earth  for  depth,  and  the  heart 


Kings  and  Those  in  Authority  89 

of  kings  is  unsearchable.  Take  away  the  dross 
from  the  silver,  and  there  shall  come  forth  a 
vessel  for  the  finer.  Take  away  the  wicked  from 
before  the  king,  and  his  throne  shall  be  established 
in  righteousness. 

The  fear  of  a  king  is  as  the  roaring  of  a  lion; 
whoso  provoketh  him  to  anger  sinneth  against 
his  own  soul.  Mercy  and  truth  preserve  the 
king;  and  his  throne  is  upholden  by  mercy.  In 
the  multitude  of  people  is  the  king's  honour;  but 
in  the  want  of  people  is  the  destruction  of  the 
prince.  The  king's  wrath  is  as  the  roaring  of  a 
lion;  but  his  favour  is  as  dew  upon  the  grass. 
A  wise  king  scattereth  the  wicked,  and  bringeth 
the  wheel  over  them. 

It  is  an  abomination  to  kings  to  commit  wick- 
edness; for  the  throne  is  established  by  righteous- 
ness. Woe  to  thee,  O  land,  when  thy  king  is  a 
child,  and  thy  princes  eat  till  the  morning! 
Blessed  art  thou,  O  land,  when  thy  king  is  the 
son  of  nobles,  and  thy  princes  eat  in  due  season, 
for  strength,  and  not  for  drunkenness!  Better 
is  a  poor  and  a  wise  child  than  an  old  and  foolish 
king,  who  will  no  more  be  admonished.  For  out 
of  prison  he  cometh  to  reign;  whereas  also  he  that 
is  born  in  his  kingdom  becometh  poor. 

Excellent  speech  becometh  not  a  fool;  much 
less  do  lying  lips  a  prince.  The  prince  that 
wanteth  understanding  is  also  a  great  oppressor; 


90       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

but  he  that  hateth  covetousness  shall  prolong  his 
days.  The  king  that  faithfully  judgeth  the  poor, 
his  throne  shall  be  established  forever.  A  divine 
sentence  is  in  the  lips  of  the  king;  his  mouth  trans- 
gresseth  not  in  judgment. 

A  king  that  sitteth  in  the  throne  of  judgment 
scattereth  away  all  evil  with  his  eyes.  The  wrath 
of  a  king  is  as  messengers  of  death;  but  a  wise 
man  will  pacify  it.  In  the  light  of  the  king's 
countenance  is  life;  and  his  favour  is  as  a  cloud  of 
the  latter  rain. 

Without  counsel  purposes  are  disappointed; 
but  in  the  multitude  of  counsellors  they  are 
established.  Every  purpose  is  established  by 
counsel;  but  with  good  advice  make  war.  A 
wicked  messenger  falleth  into  mischief;  but  a 
faithful  ambassador  is  health.  When  the  wicked 
rise,  men  hide  themselves;  but  when  they  perish, 
the  righteous  increase.  Righteousness  exalteth 
a  nation;  but  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people.  If 
a  ruler  hearken  to  lies,  all  his  servants  are  wicked. 

He  that  rebuketh  a  man,  afterwards  shall  find 
more  favour  than  he  that  flattereth  with  the 
tongue.  It  is  joy  to  the  just  to  do  judgment;  but 
destruction  shall  be  to  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
When  the  righteous  are  in  authority,  the  people 
rejoice;  but  when  the  wicked  beareth  rule,  the 
people  mourn. 


Kings  and  Those  in  Authority  91 

Open  thy  mouth  for  the  dumb  in  the  cause  of 
all  such  as  are  appointed  to  destruction.  Open 
thy  mouth,  judge  righteously,  and  plead  the 
cause  of  the  poor  and  needy.  It  is  not  good  to 
accept  the  person  of  the  wicked,  to  overthrow 
the  righteous  in  judgment.  Also  to  punish  the 
just  is  not  good,  nor  to  strike  princes  for  equity. 

Smite  a  scorner,  and  the  simple  will  beware; 
and  reprove  one  that  hath  understanding,  and  he 
will  understand  knowledge.  When  the  scorner 
is  punished,  the  simple  is  made  wise;  and  when 
the  wise  is  instructed,  he  receiveth  knowledge. 
Cast  out  the  scorner,  and  contention  shall  go  out; 
yea,  strife  and  reproach  shall  cease.  An  ungodly 
witness  scorneth  judgment;  and  the  mouth  of  the 
wicked  devoureth  iniquity.  Judgments  are  pre- 
pared for  scorners,  and  stripes  for  the  back  of 
fools.  An  evil  man  seeketh  only  rebellion;  there- 
fore, a  cruel  messenger  shall  be  sent  against  him. 

He  that  turneth  away  his  ear  from  hearing  the 
law,  even  his  prayer  shall  be  an  abomination. 
The  lot  causeth  contentions  to  cease,  and  parteth 
between  the  mighty.  They  that  forsake  the  law 
praise  the  wicked;  but  such  as  keep  the  law  con- 
tend with  them.  Evil  men  understand  not  judg- 
ment; but  they  that  seek  the  Lord  understand  all 
things.  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  preserve  knowledge, 
and  he  overthroweth  the  words  of  the  transgres- 
sor. 

He   that  justifieth   the   wicked,    and   he   that 


92       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

condemneth  the  just,  even  they  both  are  abomina- 
tion to  the  Lord.  To  have  respect  of  persons  is 
not  good;  for.  for  a  piece  of  bread  that  man  will 
transgress.  The  fear  of  man  bringeth  a  snare; 
but  whoso  putteth  his  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be 
safe.  Many  seek  the  ruler's  favour;  but  every 
man's  judgment  cometh  from  the  Lord.  An 
unjust  man  is  an  abomination  to  the  just;  and  he 
that  is  upright  in  the  way  is  abomination  to  the 
wicked. 

These  things  also  belong  to  the  wise.  It  is 
not  good  to  have  respect  of  persons  in  judgment. 
He  that  saith  unto  the  wicked:  "Thou  art  right- 
eous," him  shall  the  people  curse;  nations  shall 
abhor  him.  But  to  him  that  rebuke  him  shall 
be  delight,  and  a  good  blessing  shall  come  upon 
them. 

So  I  returned,  and  considered  all  the  oppres- 
sions that  are  done  under  the  sun;  and  behold  the 
tears  of  such  as  were  oppressed,  and  they  had  no 
comforter;  and  on  the  side  of  their  oppressors 
there  was  power;  but  they  had  no  comforter. 
Wherefore  I  praised  the  dead  which  are  already 
dead  more  than  the  living  which  are  yet  alive. 
Yea,  better  is  he  than  both  they,  which  hath  not 
yet  been,  who  hath  not  seen  the  evil  work  that  is 
done  under  the  sun. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

ARE    YOU   A    POLITICIAN? 

A  LL  this  have  I  seen,  and  appHed  my  heart 
^^^  unto  every  work  that  is  done  under  the  sun. 
There  is  a  time  wherein  one  man  ruleth  over 
another  to  his  own  hurt.  And  so  I  saw  the  wicked 
buried,  who  had  come  and  gone  from  the  place  of 
the  holy,  and  they  were  forgotten  in  the  city 
where  they  had  so  done.  This  is  also  vanity. 
Because  sentence  against  an  evil  work  is  not 
executed  speedily,  therefore  the  heart  of  the  sons 
of  men  is  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil.  By  mercy 
and  truth  iniquity  is  purged;  and  by  fear  of  the 
Lord  men  depart  from  evil.  When  a  man's  ways 
please  the  Lord,  he  maketh  even  his  enemies  to 
be  at  peace  with  him. 

If  thou  seest  the  oppression  of  the  poor,  and 
violent  perverting  of  judgment  and  justice  in  a 
province,  marvel  not  at  the  matter;  for  he  that 
is  higher  than  the  highest  regardeth;  and  there 
be  higher  than  they.  In  the  house  of  the  right- 
eous there  is  much  treasure;  but  in  the  revenues 
of  the  wicked  is  trouble.  When  the  wicked  are 
multiplied,  transgression  increaseth;  but  the 
righteous  shall  see  their  fall.  As  a  roaring  lion, 
and  a  ranging  bear;  so  is  a  wicked  ruler  over  the 
poor  people.  Where  no  counsel  is,  the  people 
fall;  but  in  the  multitude  of  counsellors  there  is 

93 


94       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

safety.  For  the  transgression  of  a  land  many 
are  the  princes  thereof;  but  by  a  man  of  under- 
standing and  knowledge  the  state  thereof  shall 
be  prolonged.  Scornful  men  bring  a  city  into  a 
snare;  but  wise  men  turn  away  wrath.  A  right- 
eous man  falling  down  before  the  wicked  is  as  a 
troubled  fountain,  and  a  corrupt  spring. 

A  feast  is  made  for  laughtei,  and  wine  maketh 
merry;  but  money  answereth  all  things.  Many 
will  intreat  the  favour  of  the  prince;  and  every 
man  is  a  friend  to  him  that  giveth  gifts. 

A  wicked  man  taketh  a  gift  out  of  the  bosom 
to  pervert  the  ways  of  judgment.  The  king  by 
judgment  establisheth  the  land;  but  he  that 
receiveth  bribes  overthroweth  it.  Surely  op- 
pression maketh  a  wise  man  mad;  and  a  bribe 
destroyeth  the  heart.  A  man's  gift  maketh  room 
for  him,  and  bringeth  him  before  great  men.  He 
that  is  first  in  his  own  cause  seemeth  just;  but  his 
neighbour  cometh  and  searcheth  him.  He  that 
is  greedy  of  gain  troubleth  his  own  house;  but  he 
that  hateth  bribes  shall  live. 

Let  another  man  praise  thee,  and  not  thine 
own  mouth;  a  stranger,  and  not  thine  own  lips. 
He  that  hath  knowledge  spareth  his  words;  and 
a  man  of  understanding  is  of  an  excellent  spirit. 
It  is  an  snare  to  the  man  who  devoureth  that 
which  is  holy,  and  afterwards  vows  to  make  en- 
quiry. Where  there  is  no  vision,  the  people 
perish;  but  he  that  keepeth  the  law,  happy  is  he. 


Are  You  a  Politician  95 

This  wisdom  have  I  seen  also  under  the  sun, 
and  it  seemed  great  unto  me:  There  was  a  Httle 
city,  and  a  few  men  within  it;  and  there  came  a 
great  king  against  it,  and  besieged  it,  and  built 
great  bulwarks  against  it.  Now  there  was  found 
in  it  a  poor  wise  man,  and  he  by  his  wisdom 
delivered  the  city;  yet  no  man  remembered  that 
same  poor  man.  Then  said  I,  "Wisdom  is  better 
than  strength;  nevertheless  the  poor  man's  wis- 
dom is  despised,  and  his  words  are  not  heard. 
The  words  of  wise  men  are  heard  in  quiet  more 
than  the  cry  of  him  that  ruleth  among  fools. 
Wisdom  is  better  than  weapons  of  war;  but  one 
sinner  destroyeth  much  good." 

When  it  goeth  well  with  the  righteous,  the  city 
rejoiceth;  and  when  the  wicked  perish,  there  is 
shouting.  By  the  blessing  of  the  upright  the 
city  is  exalted;  but  it  is  overthrown  by  the  mouth 
of  the  wicked.  If  the  spirit  of  the  ruler  rise  up 
against  thee,  leave  not  thy  purpose;  for  yielding 
pacifieth  great  offences.  There  is  an  evil  which 
I  have  seen  under  the  sun,  as  an  error  which  pro- 
ceedeth  from  the  ruler. 

Folly  is  set  in  great  dignity,  and  the  rich  sit  in 
low  place.  I  have  seen  servants  upon  horses,  and 
princes  walking  as  servants  upon  the  earth.  Put 
not  forth  thyself  in  the  presence  of  the  king,  and 
stand  not  in  the  place  of  great  men.  For  better 
it  is  that  it  be  said  unto  thee,  "Come  up  hither;" 
than  that  thou   shouldest  be  put  lower  in   the 


96       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 


presence  of  the  prince  whom  thine  eyes  have  seen. 
When  righteous  men  do  rejoice,  there  is  great 
glory:  but  when  the  wicked  rise,  a  man  is  hidden. 

I  returned,  and  saw  under  the  sun,  that  the 
race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the 
strong,  neither  yet  bread  to  the  wise,  nor  yet 
riches  to  men  of  understanding,  nor  yet  favour 
to  men  of  skill;  but  time  and  chance  happeneth 
to  them  all. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

LIGHTS    AND    SHADOWS 

TT  is  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning, 
■■•  than  to  go  to  the  house  of  feasting;  for  that 
is  the  end  of  all  men;  and  the  living  will  lay 
it  to  his  heart.  Sorrow  is  better  than  laughter; 
for  by  the  sadness  of  the  countenance  the  heart 
is  made  better.  The  heart  of  the  wise  is  in  the 
house  of  mourning;  but  the  heart  of  fools  is  in  the 
house  of  mirth.  In  the  day  of  prosperity  be 
joyful,  but  in  the  day  of  adversity  consider. 
God  also  hath  set  the  one  over  against  the  other, 
to  the  end  that  man  should  find  nothing  after 
him. 

The  blueness  of  a  wound  cleanseth  away  evil; 
so  do  stripes  the  inward  parts  of  the  heart.  My 
son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord; 
neither  be  weary  of  his  corrections.  A  friend 
loveth  at  all  times,  and  a  brother  is  born  for  ad- 
versity. For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  correct- 
eth;  even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  de- 
lighteth. 

As  he  that  taketh  away  a  garment  in  cold 
weather,  and  as  vinegar  upon  nitre,  so  is  he  that 
singeth  songs  to  an  heavy  heart.  The  heart 
knoweth  his  own  bitterness;  and  a  stranger  doth 
not  intermeddle  with  his  joy.  If  thou  faint  in 
the  day  of  adversity,  thy  strength  is  small.     The 

97 


98       Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

light  of  the  eyes  rejoiceth  the  heart;  and  a  good 
report  maketh  the  bones  fat. 

Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing 
it  is  for  the  eyes  to  behold  the  sun.  Hope  de- 
ferred maketh  the  heart  sick;  but  when  the  desire 
Cometh,  it  is  a  tree  of  life.  All  the  days  of  the 
afflicted  are  evil;  but  he  that  is  of  a  merry  heart 
hath  a  continual  feast.  A  merry  heart  doeth 
good  like  medicine;  but  a  broken  spirit  drieth  the 
bones.  A  merry  heart  maketh  a  cheerful  coun- 
tenance; but  by  sorrow  of  the  heart  the  spirit 
is  broken. 

All  things  have  I  seen  in  the  days  of  my  vanity: 
There  is  a  just  man  that  perisheth  in  his  right- 
eousness, and  there  is  a  wicked  man  that  pro- 
longeth  his  life  in  his  wickedness.  But  if  a  man 
live  many  years,  and  rejoice  in  them  all,  yet  let 
him  remember  the  days  of  darkness;  for  they 
shall  be  many.     All  that  cometh  is  vanity. 

There  is  a  mystery  which  is  seen  upon  the  earth; 
that  there  be  just  men,  unto  whom  it  happeneth 
according  to  the  work  of  the  wicked;  again,  there 
be  wicked  men,  to  whom  it  happeneth  according 
to  the  work  of  the  righteous.  I  said  that  this 
also  is  a  mystery.  Then  I  commended  cheerful- 
ness, because  a  man  hath  no  better  thing  under 
the  sun,  than  to  eat,  and  to  drink,  and  to  be 
merry;  for  that  shall  abide  with  him  of  his  labour, 
all  the  days  of  his  life,  which  God  giveth  him 
under  the  sun.  They  give  strong  drink  unto  him 
that  is  ready  to  perish,  and  wine  unto  those  that 


Lights  and  Shadows  99 


be  of  heavy  hearts,  and  say  :  "Let  him  drink,  and 
forget  his  poverty,  and  remember  his  misery  no 
more."  This  also  is  vanity.  Though  heaviness 
in  the  heart  of  man  maketh  it  stoop;  a  good  word 
maketh  it  glad. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

VENGEANCE    IS    MINE 

CAY  not  wait,  O  wicked  man,  against  the 
^  dwelling  of  the  righteous.  Spoil  not  his 
resting  place,  for  a  just  man  falleth  seven 
times,  and  riseth  up  again;  but  the  wicked  shall 
fall  into  mischief.  Rejoice  not  when  thine  enemy 
falleth,  and  let  not  thine  heart  be  glad  when  he 
stumbleth,  lest  the  Lord  see  it,  and  it  displease 
him,  and  he  turn  away  his  wrath  from  him. 

Strive  not  with  a  man  without  cause,  if  he  have 
done  thee  no  harm.  Envy  thou  not  the  oppressor, 
and  choose  none  of  his  ways.  For  the  froward 
is  abomination  to  the  Lord;  but  his  secret  is  with 
the  righteous.  If  thou  forbear  to  deliver  them 
that  are  drawn  unto  death,  and  those  that  are 
ready  to  be  slain;  if  thou  sayest,  "Behold,  we 
knew  it  not;"  doth  not  he  that  pondereth  the 
heart  consider  it.^  And  he  that  keepeth  thy 
soul,  doth  he  not  know  it.f*  And  shall  not  he 
render  to  every  man  according  to  his  works  .f* 
Whoso  causeth  the  righteous  to  go  astray  in  an 
evil  way,  he  shall  fall  himself  into  his  own  pit; 
but  the  upright  shall  have  good  things  in  posses- 
sion. 

Remove  not  the  old  landmark;  and  enter  not 
into  the  fields  of  the  fatherless;  for  their  redeemer 
lOO 


Vengeance  is  Mine  loi 


is  mighty;  he  shall  plead  their  cause  with  thee. 
Rob  not  the  poor,  because  he  is  poor,  neither 
oppress  the  afflicted  in  the  law.  For  the  Lord 
will  plead  their  cause,  and  spoil  the  soul  of  those 
that  spoiled  them.  He  that  oppresseth  the  poor 
reproacheth  his  Maker;  but  he  that  honoureth 
him  hath  mercy  on  the  poor.  He  that  hath  pity 
upon  the  poor  lendeth  unto  the  Lord;  and  that 
which  he  hath  given  will  he  pay  him  again.  A 
poor  man  that  oppresseth  the  poor  is  like  a  sweep- 
ing rain  which  leaveth  no  food. 

He  that  hath  a  bountiful  eye  shall  be  blessed; 
for  he  giveth  of  his  bread  to  the  poor.  He  that 
followeth  after  righteousness  and  mercy  iindeth 
life,  righteousness  and  honour.  Say  not  thou, 
"I  will  recompense  evil;"  but  wait  on  the  Lord, 
and  he  shall  save  thee.  Whoso  diggeth  a  pit 
shall  fall  therein;  and  he  that  rolleth  a  stone,  it 
will  return  upon  him.  Say  not,  "I  will  do  so  to 
him  as  he  hath  done  to  me:  I  will  render  to  the 
man  according  to  his  work."  If  thine  enemy  be 
hungry,  give  him  bread  to  eat;  and  if  he  be  thirsty, 
give  him  water  to  drink;  for  thou  shalt  heap  coals 
of  fire  upon  his  head,  and  the  Lord  shall  reward 
thee. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

LIGHT   IN    THE    DARKNESS 

BOAST  not  thyself  of  tomorrow;  for  thou 
knowest  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 
It  is  good  that  thou  shouldest  take  hold  of 
this;  yea,  also  from  this  withdraw  not  thine  hand; 
for  he  that  feareth  God  shall  come  forth  of  them 
all.  Man's  goings  are  of  the  Lord;  how  can  a 
man  then  understand  his  own  way?  A  man's 
heart  deviseth  his  way;  but  the  Lord  directeth  his 
steps.  The  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap;  but  the  whole 
disposing  thereof  is  of  the  Lord. 

Also,  that  the  soul  be  without  knowledge,  it 
is  not  good;  but  he  that  hasteth  with  his  feet 
sinneth.  The  foolishness  of  man  perverteth  his 
way:  and  his  heart  fretteth  against  the  Lord. 
There  is  no  wisdom  nor  understanding  nor  counsel 
against  the  Lord.  The  horse  is  prepared  against 
the  day  of  battle;  but  safety  is  of  the  Lord.  The 
way  of  the  slothful  man  is  an  hedge  of  thorns; 
but  the  way  of  the  righteous  is  made  plain. 

Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart;  and 
lean  not  unto  thine  own  understanding.  In  all 
thy  ways  acknowledge  Him,  and  He  shall  direct 
thy  paths. 


1 02 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

SUNSET   AND    EVENING    STAR 

T  ET  US  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  mat- 
-*— '  ter:  Fear  God,  and  keep  His  commandments; 
for  this  is  the  whole  duty  of  man.  For  God 
shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with  every 
secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be 
evil.  There  is  no  man  that  hath  power  over  the 
spirit  to  retain  the  spirit;  neither  hath  he  power 
in  the  day  of  death;  and  there  is  no  discharge  in 
that  war.  Neither  shall  wickedness  deliver  those 
that  are  given  to  it.  Say  not  thou,  "What  is 
the  cause  that  the  former  days  were  better  than 
these  .^"  For  thou  dost  not  enquire  wisely  con- 
cerning this. 

A  good  name  is  better  than  precious  ointment; 
and  the  day  of  death  than  the  day  of  one's  birth. 
The  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  if  it  be  found 
in  the  way  of  righteousness. 

Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years 
draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  "I  have  no 
pleasure  in  them;"  while  the  sun,  or  the  light, 
or  the  moon,  or  the  stars,  be  not  darkened,  nor 
the  clouds  return  after  the  rain;  as  in  the  day 
when  the  keepers  of  the  house  shall  tremble,  and 
the  strong  men  shall  bow  themselves,  and  the 
103 


104     Golden  Words  from  the  Book  of  Wisdom 

grinders  cease  because  they  are  few,  and  those 
that  look  out  of  the  windows  be  darkened,  and 
the  doors  shall  be  shut  in  the  streets,  when  the 
sound  of  the  grinding  is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up 
at  the  voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  of  the  daughters 
of  musick  shall  be  brought  low;  also  when  they 
shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is  high,  and  fears 
shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond  tree  shall 
flourish,  and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a  burden, 
and  desire  shall  fail:  because  a  man  goeth  to  his 
long  home,  and  the  mourners  go  about  the  streets; 
or  when  the  silver  cord  be  loosed,  or  the  golden 
bowl  be  broken,  or  the  pitcher  be  broken  at  the 
fountain,  or  the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern. 
Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was; 
and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it. 
Then  shall  the  day  dawn  and  the  shadows  flee 
away. 


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